Warning of 'summer of discontent'

Rubbish has been piling up in Edinburgh

Union leaders have warned of a "summer of discontent" in Edinburgh unless the council comes up with more "realistic" proposals on refuse collectors' wages.

The staff are already working-to-rule in a row over plans to change the way they are paid.

It is claimed the new system could see bin collectors' wages cut from £18,000 to around £12,000.

The Unite union has now said the city may be hit by strike action during its world-famous festival.

The row has already hit rubbish collections in the city, with some domestic and commercial collections days behind schedule.

Unite is now in the process of balloting its members for industrial action.

The likelihood is there will be a summer of discontent in Edinburgh unless the council come back to Unite with realistic proposals that can be negotiated around Stephen MacGregor Unite

Stephen MacGregor, convener with Unite for the City of Edinburgh Council, said morale among refuse collectors was at rock bottom and that some feared losing their homes.

Branding the wage plans "outrageous" and "completely unacceptable", he said: "It's a very real scenario that potentially these workers could go from £18,000 to £12,000."

He said refuse collectors were "in a state of disbelief" over the current situation.

"They're angry and they're disgusted by the proposals that have been presented to the trade unions," he said.

"Productivity is not going to increase when you're hit with that kind of bombshell and morale is at rock bottom."

'Busiest period'

He said the union was now in the process of balloting its members for industrial action, giving them the chance to opt for a walk-out or action short of a strike.

Mr MacGregor agreed that such action, if it gets the go-ahead, could come at the same time as thousands of tourists gather in the Scottish capital for the annual festival season.

He said: "During the summer months our membership are asked to go that extra mile in the festival, maintaining the cleanliness of the city during its busiest period.

"The likelihood is there will be a summer of discontent in Edinburgh unless the council come back to Unite with realistic proposals that can be negotiated around."

The council is considering a series of modernisation measures involving the restructuring of pay and bonuses, as public sector pay structures are simplified across Scotland.

The local authority has urged bin collectors to return to their normal working arrangements.

Reduce disruption

Gordon Mackenzie, convener of Edinburgh City Council's transport and environment committee, said: "Our focus just now is to urge staff to return to normal working as quickly as possible so we can sort out the new pay arrangements in negotiation with the unions."

He said the council was doing everything it could to reduce disruption.

"It is important to remember that staff are currently losing money because of their action and the cleanliness of the city is suffering unnecessarily," he added.

"We have the time to sort this out and would urge refuse and street cleansing staff to return to normal working as soon as possible for the good of everybody concerned."

An Edinburgh City Council spokeswoman said: "Modernising our pay and conditions of employment will help to make sure that pay for our employees is fair in comparison to their colleagues.

"A small number of council staff, mainly those who receive bonuses as part of their take home pay, may see a decrease in their earnings at the end of a three-year pay protection period.

"We will give opportunities and skills training to help minimise any adverse impact on staff."