Stirling UNISON Waste Workers would like to thank all the UNISON members, members of the communities in Stirling, and Local Councillors that came along and showed their support to them over the weekend. The support was overwhelming and for that, they are extremely grateful.
Waste workers have been the first to take action but have not only taken action to support and secure fairer pay deal for themselves but for all Local Government workers who for many provide vital and preventative services within our communities such as such as our care workers, social workers, cleaners, catering staff, road and land services workers, housing workers, education staff the list is endless. During covid Local Government Workers kept services running by turning their own homes into workplaces, Cleaning buildings/workplaces, collecting waste, repairing roads, maintaining land services, providing accommodation for our homeless, housing repairs, providing IT support, Health and Safety support, and customer services, providing care, learning, supporting mental health and wellbeing, maintaining Library and Cultural Services, delivering food packages and financial support to thousands of people.
Next week they will be taking further action on the 7th,8th,9th, and 10th of September and will be joined on the 6th,7th, and 8th of September by all Schools and Early Years Workers who are also joining the fight for a fairer pay deal for all Local Government Workers.
Mark Ferguson, chair of the local government committee said: “This is the first time since devolution that we have embarked on industrial action like this. Half of the council workers earn less than £25k per year and 85% earn less than £39k per year – they are all worried 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 getting around the table to reach a solution.”
Stirling UNISON 