Refuse collectors in Glasgow create their own mini foodbanks in work
Workers are bringing in food and leaving it for their colleagues to collect anonymously.
Refuse collectors in Glasgow have started creating their own mini foodbanks in work to help their colleagues who don't have any lunch.
Members of GMB Scotland, UNISON and Unite are downing tools for 8 days this month demanding a 5% pay increase.
"It makes me happy knowing I've helped to feed someone for the day"
Eddie McCulloch works in Shieldhall and told Clyde 1: "We are not on a lot of money to start with and so even an extra 5% is not much.
"We have to feed our colleagues at lunchtime, some of them pretend they are not hungry, but I can tell they are desperate.
"I will always find something to bring in to leave on the table and when I go back at the end of the day, it isn't there.
"It makes me happy knowing I've helped to feed someone for the day."
The current 3.2% pay offer from COSLA is being described as unacceptable by workers and unions because refuse collectors south of the border are getting a 5% rise.
Staff will down tools from the 14th to the 22nd August causing chaos to bin collections and leaving rubbish piling high on the streets across 26 council areas in Scotland.
"I will lose four days of pay this month"
Eddie added: "We don't want to be striking because we lose a day's pay every time we do.
"In total, I will lose four days of pay this month and it will take me to the end of the year to get this back."
A COSLA Spokesperson said: “Negotiations are ongoing and considerable work is being done at pace to explore all options with regards to local government pay.
"A constructive joint meeting between COSLA, trade unions and Scottish Government took place earlier this week, but as it stands there is currently no new funding identified for councils to increase pay beyond the current offer.
"With no new funding in place, the most recent 3.2% offer is the absolute limit of affordability for councils, without putting jobs and services at risk in the current challenging financial climate we are facing.
"We value our workforce and are working to find a resolution as quickly as possible.”
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