Messy history: timeline

July 17, 2015 – The Post reveals binmen are threatening a strike after the row over new shifts escalates. A bin worker said: “They’ve been told this will save money so that’s all they care about but putting bin lorries on the street that late at night is madness.” August 14, 2015 – Council chiefs announce the new shifts for bin workers are under review, with the start date potentially pushed back to April. Union bosses continue to oppose the move in its entirety. March 4, 2016 – Binmen officially vote for strike action as the row shows no signs of coming to an end, with 85 per cent of workers backing the move and union reps saying their members “are not prepared to be pushed around.” March 25, 2016 – Residents in Kincaidston and Barassie hit out as a work- to- rule action leaves scores of bins unemptied over claims they are too full to be lifted. Binmen carry out their first one- hour strike on March 17. April 1, 2016 – Four strikes – two two- hour stoppages and two four- hour stoppages – are announced for April as council chiefs and union bosses fail to reach an agreement. April 22, 2016 – Council bosses discuss plans to bring in private firms to keep the streets clean as binmen announce three 24- hour strikes, including one on May 5 as the country votes in the Scottish Parliament elections. May 6, 2016 – Outraged bin workers reveal council environment chief Lesley Bloomer visited their picket line during a 24- hour strike and dished out Maltesers. Union bosses blasted the council, claiming they refuse to sit down and seek a resolution. May 13, 2016 – We revealed strike action could pose problems when The Open came to Royal Troon as workers drew up a list of big targets for continued walkouts. Union chief Jim Winter said he “underestimated the resolve of the workforce.” May 20, 2016 – Workers protest outside County Buildings but council bosses brand the pickets illegal and threaten to sue the strikers, prompting threats that the bin row will become “a lot messier before it gets cleaner”. May 27, 2016 – Ayr MSP John Scott urges both sides to get around the table and thrash out an agreement as workers ramp up the pressure with plans for two half- hour stoppages each day. June 10, 2016 – We reveal that binmen are set to take a secret ballot on ending the industrial action, with Troon councillor Peter Convery hopeful that the strike will be resolved. June 17, 2016 – The secret ballot fails to bring the battle to an end, with 44 workers turning down a new offer and leaving the threat of future industrial action on the table.