Fife Council: Bin collection workers could strike if talks fail, warns Unite the Union

A recent threat to strike was called off but that may be tabled again if talks between unions and managers are unsatisfactory.

Workers had threatened to strike previously amid claims that they were instructed to throw recycling into landfill, with items such as clean cardboard, paper and plastics mixed in with waste set for landfill sites.

It was touted that union members would be balloted over strike action if it continued but talks of severe action have been allayed for now.

That issue was resolved but it is understood that complaints regarding the standard of equipment and changes to collection routes remain.

Unions were scheduled to meet with Cireco, who run Fife's waste collection services, this week.

John Gillespie, Unite convenor at Fife Council, told the Press that if matters weren't resolved then strike action was possible.

He said: "We’ve agreed to meet with Cireco management this week to address a number of outstanding issues over our members’ concerns.

"A number of these issues have been resolved and we are hopeful that our remaining concerns will be also.

"However, we will have no hesitation in seeking a mandate for industrial action if they are not.”

Robin Baird, chief executive officer for Cireco, said: "We continue to welcome the ongoing dialogue with our trade union colleagues and will continue to work with them in the coming weeks. We once gain would like to thank all our workforce for their commitment over the last 18 months in the delivery of critical services."