Councillors fear a surge in fly-tipping reports following days of strikes which have stalled bin collections and shuttered recycling centres.
Strikes are set to continue and spread across sectors of West Lothian Council services following a breakdown in talks between unions and COSLA, the local authorities umbrella group.
Householders were advised to put bins out from today but the council advised there would be delays in uplifts getting back to normal. And a new set of strikes has been called for the middle of next week.
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Speaking at Bathgate's Local Area Committee on Monday Labour's Tony Pearson said: "I worry about fly tipping coming up if there's continued industrial action takes place. People cannot store it in their homes .
"If there is an increase in fly-tipping I wonder if there are any plans to put skips in Bathgate parks to stop fly tipping?"
Delivering an update on the first quarter of the year from the NETs land and Countryside teams, Eirwen Hopwood told the committee she would find out details and come back to members .
She added: " I have seen emails this morning and I know there are issues. I would imagine there are some contingencies."
Images on social media showed pile of rubbish outside recycling centres. Followed up by the Local Democracy Reporting Service these had largely been cleared but fly-tipping was discovered around the Oakbank in Livingston with a sizeable load of black bagged household rubbish tipped at a bus stop
The GMB renewed its “key demand” for a flat rate award, saying a percentage rise settlement *only feathers the nests of service directors.”
GMB Scotland senior organiser for public services, Keir Greenaway said: “A flat rate award is a key demand from unions to ensure more consolidated money goes into the pockets of frontline workers and not the highest paid in our councils. COSLA knew this but instead tabled this offer as an across-the-board percentage rise that only feathers the nests of service directors.
“That’s why we have written to COSLA again this evening urging them to return to talks as soon as possible and to negotiate a new offer based on a flat rate increase. If they don’t do this, then when our committee reconvenes tomorrow, we will outline our plans to fully consult GMB members.”
For Unite, council Industrial officer Wendy Dunsmore, said: “Unite has rejected outright the latest pay offer from COSLA. The structure of the offer continues to disproportionately and unfairly affect the lowest paid with the majority of those being women.
“The offer remains unacceptable and it represents a waste of precious time. We understand the gravity of the situation across the country but equally our members are facing the worst cost of living crisis in a generation. Unite’s strike action remains scheduled for next week unless COSLA gets back to us with a credible offer which addresses our primary concerns.”
The next strike is set to take place in education and waste services in 20 councils from 6 to 13 September.
Mark Ferguson, chair of local government committee of the Unison union said: “ This is the first time since devolution that we have embarked on industrial action like this.
"Half of council workers earn less than £25,000 per year and 85% earn less than £39, 000 per year - they are all worrying about paying their bills. Inflation is continuing to rise, and our members are being asked to take a real-terms pay cut which will plunge even more of them into debt. Strike action is the last resort and we are always open to get around the table to reach a solution.”
Householders across West Lothian were asked to present their bins for collection today, but West Lothian Council said on its website: “Due to the strike action and possible impact on staffing levels, we may not be able to collect your bin on these days.
"If your bin is not collected on your scheduled day, please take it back in and present it on your next scheduled collection date."
Community recycling centres have also been closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
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