City residents told: Don’t put bins out

HOUSEHOLDERS in Scotland’s biggest city have been told not to put their bins out amid a strike by refuse workers.

The move fuelled fears of an environmental health crisis in Glasgow during Cop26, with festering waste left uncollected.

It also increases the risk of fly-tipping and residents throwing out recyclable waste – as recycling bins are not being emptied.

The GMB union, which represents cleansing staff, ordered the strike on Sunday. It is set to continue throughout the first week of the climate summit. Last night, Scottish Tory housing and local government spokesman Miles Briggs said: ‘Glasgow tax payers will rightly be incensed at being told not to put their bins out by the SNP-run city council.

‘They are the ones suffering as a result of a strike that could – and should – have been averted weeks ago, but for SNP incompetence at local and national level.’

A Glasgow City Council statement said: ‘Due to industrial action all cleansing services are currently disrupted. Do not present your household refuse bins for collection.’

On Saturday, GMB said last-ditch talks with the council had failed. GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour said: ‘We met the council in good faith, offering a clear set of proposals to reset industrial relations and avoid strikes. The council rejected these proposals.’

A council spokesman 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.’