Warning of delays to bin collections as waste staff in Aberdeen confirm strike action

There could be delays to our bin collections this summer with waste collection staff due to go on strike.

It's in a dispute over pay.

Unite's confirming more details in the coming days but says it could start in two weeks time.

It will affect waste workers, street cleaners and those at recycling centres.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “After years of cuts to council pay and services, years of chronic underfunding and understaffing, our membership is saying no more. Enough. They have Unite’s unequivocal support in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions across Scottish local government.” 

In May Unite rejected outright a formal pay offer from the COSLA. 

It was a 2.2 per cent rise from April 1 to September 30, and then two per cent for a 12 month period effective from October 1 to September 30, 2025.

Unite rejected the offer, and the proposal to change the pay anniversary date from April to October on the basis that it is nothing but an attempt to “kick the can down the road”. 

Graham McNab, Unite industrial officer added: “Thousands of workers in cleansing and waste services are now on the brink of taking strike action in a matter of weeks. Our members are being left with no choice but to fight for fair pay.

“Council workers deserve to be treated with respect but instead they received a pitiful pay offer which was rejected outright by Unite. This situation is entirely in the hands of COSLA and the Scottish government who can resolve this dispute at any moment by making a significantly improved pay offer.”