Strike action by Unite and GMB could cause disruption to bin collections, street cleaning and recycling facilities in Caithness and Sutherland, Highland Council warns
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STRIKE action is set to hit bin collections and street cleaning across the Highlands, residents have been warned.
The unions Unite and GMB have both announced plans to strike this month and next.
The first strike, by Unite members, will run for more than a week – from this Wednesday at 5am until Thursday, September 1 at 4.59am.
And GMB members will be striking twice in the coming fortnight – with the first walkout running from Friday, August 26 from 00.00 and continuing until Monday, August 29 at 11:59pm. The second will follow between Wednesday, September 7 at 00.00 and 11.59pm on Saturday, September 10.
Highland Council said the strike action will affect waste, recycling and street cleaning services, but that no other departments or staff members will be affected.
A council spokesman said: "Unless the council is notified of any suspension of strike action arising from the revised pay offer, strike action will commence on Wednesday, August 24.
"There may be a disruption to service delivery for bin collections, street cleaning and recycling centres across the Highlands during these dates. Updated information on waste services will be provided throughout any periods of Industrial action."
News of the strike action comes after a special meeting of council leaders last week resulted in an "improved pay offer" being put "to the SJC unions" which Highland Council said would raise the overall over value of the offer to give per cent and increase the Scottish Local Government Living Wage to £10.50 per hour.
The national unions are considering the offer but it is understood that there will not be enough time to ballot union members on the offer before the walkouts start later this week.
