Thousands affected by bin strike

Glasgow City Council says 170 refuse collectors took part in industrial action

Glasgow City Council has been forced to hire private firms after an unofficial strike by refuse collectors.

The council said the industrial action disrupted both refuse and recycling collections throughout the city on Friday.

It is thought 15,000 households may have been affected by the walkout by 170 employees.

The council said private contractors would be used to clear the backlog of collections and maintain a service.

Executive Director for Land and Environmental Services, Robert Booth, said: "Due to unofficial industrial action by around 170 operatives, there has been disruption affecting, we believe, 15,000 households.

"However, measures are now in place to minimise the impact of that disruption and we expect to resume normal service on Tuesday.

"We apologise for any inconvenience already caused to householders by this unofficial action."

The council advised residents to continue to put their bins out for normal collection.

It said if rubbish was not collected on the due date, it would be collected on the next scheduled uplift along with any excess refuse.