Unions have called off strikes which were set to leave bins unemptied in West Dunbartonshire this week after a new pay deal was thrashed out.
West Dunbartonshire Council told residents to expect “significant disruption” after it was announced waste workers would walk out between Wednesday and Saturday.
The region was set to be the latest to join councils across the country which have seen rubbish pile up in streets in a row over pay.
Hundreds of schools and nurseries across Scotland were also set to close as part of the dispute.
But on Friday last week, Unison, GMB and Unite unions all said they had suspended their industrial action while they consult their members on the pay new offer, and that they were recommending the deal is accepted.
It followed days of intense negotiations with the First Minster, the Deputy First Minister, the Scottish Government and COSLA.
COSLA previously said it was disappointed that the unions had turned down a five percent pay deal that was at the “absolute extremes” of affordability, while Ms Sturgeon warned there was no “bottomless pit” of money to pay for an improved offer.
The deal consists of a flat rate fully consolidated offer of £2,000 for those earning up to £20,500.
This is the equivalent to an increase of around 10 to 11 percent for the lowest paid who are estimated to be around 18 percent of the total workforce.
The offer is consolidated into overtime, allowances and pensions.
It further includes a £1,925 flat rate offer which is fully consolidated for those earning between £20,500 and up to £39,000.
This is the equivalent to an increase of eight percent for those earning around £24,000.
After the announcement, the council said in a statement: “Planned strike action from 7-10 September has been suspended while trade union members vote on whether or not to accept the most recent national pay offer.
“Bin collections will go ahead so please put your bin out on your normal day.”
Speaking before the strikes were called off, Peter O’Neill, Unison West Dunbartonshire branch secretary, said: “We do not want to do this, but it is all our employers understand.
“It has taken eight months to drag them to the table – it is only the threat of action that has done that.
“Unison, with Unite and GMB will continue to fight for all council workers in Scotland.”
Johanna Baxter, Unison head of local government said: “This offer is a victory for Unison members.
“COSLA originally offered two percent, then 3.5 percent, then five percent - we now we have £600m on the table, which is a 7.5 percent increase to the total pay bill and 87 percent of our council workers will receive fully consolidated increases between five percent to 10 percent.
“It is only through the collective action of our members in school and early years staff threatening strike action and our waste and recycling workers taking action that we have forced these extra funds out of government and the employer.
“Our members’ message was clear and unequivocal – Unison’s local government members are no longer prepared to be treated as the poor relations of the public sector.
“They will stand up, speak up and organise to win change together.”
