2022 Scotland bin strikes explained

2022 Scotland bin strikes
Partof:the 2021–present UK cost-of-living crisis and UK industrial disputes and strikes (2022–present)
Date:18 August 2022 – 2 September 2022
Place:Scotland
Methods:Strikes
Side1:GMB
Side2:Scottish government
Leadfigures1:Gary Smith
Leadfigures2:Nicola Sturgeon

The 2022 Scotland bin strike was a labour strike by bin workers across Scotland. The workers, represented by the GMB were striking for a pay rise to match that being given to local government workers in the rest of the UK.[1] The strikes began in Edinburgh but spread to other parts of Scotland, affecting 20 of Scotland's 32 council areas.[2] [3]

Events

On 18 August, and following a pay dispute with Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), refuse workers belonging to the Unison, Unite and GMB trade unions launched industrial action in Edinburgh. The 12-day strike began as the city played host to the 2022 Edinburgh Festival. The walkout ended at 04:59 on 30 August.[4] The trade unions stated the main reason for strike was due to the UK cost of living crisis.[5]

Residents in Edinburgh were told by Edinburgh City Council to keep all rubbish indoors.[6]

On 29 August, GMB rejected the offer proposed by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. According to the Scottish Government, the deal included a payment of at least £1,925 for council staff, with those earning £20,000 receiving £2,000.[7]

On 1 September, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon met with council leaders and trade union leaders to resolve the dispute.[8] On 2 September, the strikes were called off by the three unions involved after a 10% pay deal was agreed upon.[9] Sturgeon had previously been criticised for attending Edinburgh Festival events while the strike was ongoing. [10]

Health warning

A health warning was declared by Public Health Scotland due to the build-up of rubbish in urban areas.[11] They also called on local authorities to deep clean public areas.[12]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022-08-24 . Edinburgh bin collector strike set to spread across Scotland . 2022-08-29 . ITV News . en . 29 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220829232201/https://www.itv.com/news/2022-08-24/edinburgh-bin-collector-strike-set-to-spread-across-scotland . live .
  2. News: Andrews . Kieran . 30 August 2022 . Mess won’t be cleared before the next Scottish bin strikes . en . 2022-08-29 . 0140-0460.
  3. News: 2022-08-25 . Is there a bin strike in my area? . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-08-29 . 29 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220829232201/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-62674698 . live .
  4. Web site: 30 August 2022 . Edinburgh bin workers clear up after 12-day strike . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220830051916/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-62716318 . 30 August 2022 . 30 August 2022 . BBC .
  5. Web site: Garton-Crosbie . Abbi . 29 August 2022 . Bin strikes to continue across Scotland as Unite rejects new Cosla pay offer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230111180141/https://www.thenational.scot/news/20832226.scotland-bin-strikes-continue-unite-rejects-latest-cosla-pay-offer/ . 11 January 2023 . 11 January 2023 . The National.
  6. News: Jackson . Debbie . Brown . Angie . 2022-08-22 . Edinburgh bin strike: Residents told to keep rubbish inside . en-GB . BBC News . live . 2022-08-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220829232203/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-62631963 . 29 August 2022.
  7. Web site: Flockhart . Gary . 2022-08-29 . Bin strikes set to continue as unions reject ‘unacceptable’ council pay offer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220829232203/https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/environment/edinburgh-bin-strikes-bin-strikes-set-to-continue-across-scotland-as-unions-reject-latest-pay-offer-3823270 . 29 August 2022 . 2022-08-29 . Edinburgh News Scotsman . en.
  8. News: 2022-09-01 . Nicola Sturgeon to hold talks over council strikes . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-09-01 . 20 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230120201217/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-62741752 . live .
  9. News: 2022-09-02 . Unions call off Scottish school and bin strikes . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-09-02 . 16 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221116102145/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-62766520 . live .
  10. Web site: Gordon . Tom . 24 August 2022 . Sturgeon slated for doing Edinburgh Fringe gig while garbage piles in streets . HeraldScotland.
  11. News: 2022-08-27 . Public health warning as bin strikes continue . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-08-29 . 29 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220829232204/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-62701045 . live .
  12. Web site: Tinney . Aaron . 2022-08-27 . Edinburgh may need ‘decontaminated’ as bin strikes leave it buried under rubbish . 2022-08-29 . Metro . en . 29 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220829232201/https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/27/edinburgh-may-need-decontaminated-as-bin-strikes-drag-on-17254007/ . live .

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