Glasgow refuse workers stage shock pay deal u-turn and will walk out on Monday

A union representing refuse workers in Glasgow has reversed its position and announced staff will begin strike action on Monday morning just as world leaders arrive for Cop26.

On Friday GMB agreed to suspending its proposed action for two weeks to allow consultation with members on a new pay off from COSLA.

But a statement released on Sunday evening GMB Scotland Secretary Louise Gilmour said:

“The council has failed to give our members the proper time and space to consider the 11th hour offer from COSLA, and the fact the council moved to block strike action in the Court of Session using anti-trade union legislation, means there is too much bad faith among members towards the employer.

“Therefore, our members in cleansing have informed us that they will still proceed with the planned strike action from 00.01 hours Monday 1 November. We are calling for an urgent meeting with the council as soon as possible and we will work until one-minute to midnight tonight to try and fix this.

“We have also made the Scottish Government aware of the situation and are liaising with the First Minister’s Office, but without any further dialogue the cleansing service in Glasgow City Council will take strike action from tomorrow and throughout the first full week of the COP26 summit.”

The Scottish Government is proposing a one-year 5.89 per cent increase for the lowest paid council staff, as part of a £1062 rise for all staff earning below £25,000.

Council offers more talks

A spokesman for Glasgow council said: "The agreement struck at national level gave two weeks to consider the pay offer and so there is no reason for this strike to go ahead at this time.

"It is very disappointing the GMB has opted for this course of action, which now seems to be about allocating time for meetings rather than a pay agreement.

"We will meet with the GMB at any time to try and resolve what now appears to be a local dispute."

Councillor Gail Macgregor, Cosla resources spokesperson, said: "On putting our new and improved offer to our trade union colleagues on Friday - we were pleased to note that it was accepted with the expectation that strike action be suspended whilst they presented the new offer to their membership for consideration.

"GMB in particular made a public statement that they were suspending strike action for a period of two weeks as of Friday whilst the ballot of their members was conducted nationally across all 32 Councils that this affects.

"We very much hope that this remains the case and that all members are given the opportunity to participate whilst essential services are maintained."

READ MORE: Dire warnings on Glasgow's litter crisis

READ MORE: Fly tipping fears from uplift charges

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.

• cop26