Glasgow Cleansing Strikes Underway After Council Refuses “Industrial Relations” Reset

Glasgow Cleansing Strikes Underway After Council Refuses “Industrial Relations” Reset  

Responding to the collapse of last ditch talks between GMB and Glasgow City Council tonight, resulting in strike action across the city’s cleansing service from 00.01 hours tomorrow (Monday 1 November), 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.  

“We specifically offered heads of terms to work together to tackle the chronic and unacceptable problems caused by years of cuts, to urgently address the employer’s unresolved discriminatory pay system and outstanding equal pay liabilities, and back this with a commitment from the council that they would not use anti-trade union laws against their workers again.  

“We also proposed the Scottish Government support this process, because if the fair work agenda is to have any credibility whatsoever, then Scotland’s biggest city should be the example of it rather than the opposite.  

“Regrettably, the council refused this massive opportunity to move forward and strike action across the cleansing service will now begin, during which time our members will be balloted on the COSLA pay offer.”  

ENDS 

Contact: GMB Scotland Communications on 07976 447077.  

Notes to Editors:  

Picket lines will be in place at the following Glasgow City Council Cleansing Depots and times on Monday 1 November 2021: Dawsholm, Polmadie, Shieldhall, Queenslie, Bridgeton, St Rollox, Anderston, from 06.00 hours.