Overflowing Glasgow bins are "attracting rats", say locals

Overflowing bins are "attracting rats" in Glasgow's Southside, according to locals.

Some have apparently not been emptied since before Christmas, with the local authority blaming staff shortages because of coronavirus for the delays.

It comes as the GMB Union, which represents the city's cleansing workers says they are on the verge of a mental health crisis within the service.

'We deserve better'

Local MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane has been contacted by locals on Caledonia Road about the problems and says it is out of control.

He said: "We know there are loads of rats because of the overflowing bins. We know refuse workers have been bitten. We know this is a horrible, disgusting problem that we have here in Glasgow, which is unacceptable. We shouldn't have overflowing bins.

"If this was a problem that had just started you should accept that bin collections have been affected by covid staff shortages but this is not a new issue. We were talking about it at COP26, we were talking about it before COP26. It is not a new problem.

"Anyone who walks around Glasgow or who lives or works in Glasgow knows that the bins are overflowing, that there are rats on the streets and they deserve better.

"We are talking about a very basic service here - collecting the bins. This is what we pay our council tax for and the service is not being delivered."

Workers mental health at 'breaking point'

GMB trade union Convenor Chris Mitchell said that levels of stress and anxiety among staff have risen because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which led to staff shortages just before Christmas.

Mr Mitchell said: “Mental health and wellbeing within the department throughout the pandemic is the worst I have seen – the fact no testing was ever given out to employees on a daily basis has made it worse.

“Workers were also having to come to work and worry about loved ones with underlying health conditions which has also caused stress and anxiety.

“The GMB and the council are committed to providing employees with professional support and look to do more open days on the effect of mental health issues in the workplace and provide as much support in this very difficult time.

“But what I will say as the convener of the cost of living crisis is that we have an energy and gas crisis that will no doubt put low paid workers into workplace poverty, causing hardship for so many workers.”

It comes after the trade union revealed that the city’s cleansing staff felt under pressure over the festive season to carry out their duties due to the number of staff in isolation because of Covid-19.

Mr Mitchell said that so far the public had been generally supportive of the industry and workers had not faced any backlash from unhappy residents who didn’t have their bins collected on time.

Glasgow City Council confirmed positive Covid-19 tests had contributed to the delays along with other illnesses, staff on leave and the additional waste generated over Christmas.

Over the last two years cleansing staff have been working in workplace bubbles to limit personal contact as much as possible.

The council is now delivering lateral flow tests to distribute among all staff, including cleansing staff, so they can test before coming into work.

Glasgow City Council to set up new health group

A new health and wellbeing group is also being created to see what more can be done to help staff.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “We fully recognise how challenging the Covid pandemic has been for staff throughout the council and greatly appreciate their efforts to maintain the services people rely upon.

“The health and well-being of our staff is an absolute priority and a wide range of measures have been implemented to protect staff in the workplace from the spread of the virus.

“Mental health issues are also taken very seriously and support is available for affected staff members, although we realise that it is not always easy to ask for help.

“To try and ensure staff get the assistance they need, a new health and well-being group has been established to identify what more can be done to support staff.

“The group will be co-chaired by a GMB representative and we look forward to working constructively with them on this crucial issue.”

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