Dundee waste workers have started clearing up eight days’ worth of rubbish piled on the streets as the first wave of bin strikes comes to an end.
Refuse staff in the city took part in industrial action between August 24 and 31 in a dispute with council chiefs over pay.
They were joined by 19 other Scottish councils, including Angus and Perth and Kinross.
The workers were pictured emptying bins and sweeping up litter in Dundee’s city centre on Thursday morning as a major clean-up gets under way.
The strike action saw both domestic bins and on-street bins in Dundee go unemptied for over a week, while recycling centres were closed.
It led to overflowing bins and concerns about attracting vermin.
It also resulted in a rise in fly-tipping, with piles of non-recyclable materials including furniture and mattresses dumped outside of recycling centres.
Further strike dates are planned next week, which involves members of the Unite, Unison and GMB unions from across 19 Scottish councils.
To add to the issues, several bins were set alight in the city on Wednesday.
Two street bins in the city centre and Eurobins in the West End’s Brown Street and in Menzieshill were set ablaze.
When are the next bin strike dates?
A second eight-day bin strike will take place in Dundee – as well as Angus and Fife – between September 6 and 13.
In Perth and Kinross, action will take place between September 6 and 10.
However, it could end sooner if a pay deal is reached between trade unions and Cosla – who is handling negotiations on behalf of councils.
Similarly, it could be extended further if the dispute continues.
School strikes in Dundee
It comes as nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools across Dundee are to close to pupils for three days.
Administrative workers, cleaners, caterers, and classroom assistants are striking from September 7-9, with the council taking the decision to close on these days.
Conversation