Cleansing strikes to go ahead as planned
Following the latest pay offer from council body COSLA, Unite the Union have said cleansing strike action is set to go ahead as planned because they need more detail on they've called a "vague aspirational pledge"
Last updated 22nd Aug 2022
Strike action by cleansing staff which is already underway in Edinburgh, and set to happen in 14 other councils, is to go ahead as planned according to Unite the Union.
On Friday (August 19th) Local Authority body COSLA made an improved 5% pay increase offer to workers.
It was hoped that could put an end to industrial action.
But today Unite have said they'll need more details from COSLA before putting the bid to their members, calling it a "vague aspirational pledge".
Alison Maclean, Unite industrial officer, said: "Unite’s local government committee has reaffirmed that the strike action ongoing in Edinburgh and scheduled to take place in a further 14 councils continues as planned.
"There remains insignificant detail on the 5 per cent pay offer, and what this in reality means for the lowest paid workers.
"At this moment the offer from COSLA remains a vague aspirational pledge but Unite can’t take anything to our wider membership unless we have specifics and guarantees."
"A meeting is scheduled for tomorrow with COSLA and we will then reassess the situation.
"Our members have taken the brave stance of taking strike action to get the pay rise they deserve and we are determined to ensure that this happens.”
We've asked COSLA for comment.