East Dunbartonshire Council issued a warning this week of "serious disruption" as refuse centres could close.

Unions balloted members over cuts in pay and diminished working conditions last week and 96 per cent were in favour of downing tools if the authority didn't stick by an agreement made last year.

It was thought a deal had been struck that would address the single status agreement that all Scottish local authorities have had to put in place to harmonise pay and conditions for council workers across the country.

However, unions say the officials on EDC have moved the goal posts.
Ian Narey, convener of the GMB, told the Herald: "We believed we had a deal in place from last February when councillors voted on an agreement.
"But officials have now altered the terms so much that what's now on offer bears no resemblance to what we thought we had negotiated for members."

A spokesman for the council told the Herald: "We can confirm unions have formally notified the council of intended strike action which will affect the Mavis Valley waste transfer station and recycling centre until Tuesday when normal service will be resumed.

"There will be serious disruption to all activities at the station and it may have to be closed. The action will also impact on refuse collections and kerbside recycling collections."

UNISON negotiator Jim Burnett said there was a possibility of pulling the action back from the brink on Thursday when a meeting was due to be held between the authority and the unions, but he cautioned: "The last
two meetings were cancelled by the authority. Nonetheless we yet hope agreement can be reached."

Both union officials believed agreement was more likely if councillors got involved.

Mr Narey said: "Councillors made a decision which has now been dismantled by officials and they should stand up and be counted now to avert this action."

Mr Burnett said under the new proposals workers would be expected to operate between 7am and 9pm — seven days a week — at normal pay, whereas at the moment unsociable hours qualify for payment at time-and-a-half.

He added: "Child care is dearer for unsociable hours so for a council that claims to be family friendly this proposal doesn't compute.

"We appreciate that cleansing is a seven day service, but even those who don't have family ties would like a reward for weekend working.

"After all the council holds its meetings in the evenings so councillors can do their day job and collect two salaries — so hopefully they will speak up for the retention of extra pay for workers undertaking unsociable hours."

Residents can log on to the ouncil's website at www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk for up-to-date information on the impact of the action or call 0845 045 4510 during office hours if they have specific questions.