UK : Aberdeen festive bin collections 'at risk' says union
Bin collections in Aberdeen could be affected over Christmas and New Year after a strike threat from a union representing refuse workers.
Unite said proposed changes included the ability to make
staff work some public holidays compulsory.
Currently staff who volunteer to work on the festive public holidays are compensated.
Council finance, policy and resources convenor Willie Young said changes were not being imposed on staff.
'Disingenuous' claim
"We have no plans to change the terms and conditions for the waste collection services," he said.
"Our officers highlighted the problems that Aberdeen City Council has in running the service over the Christmas and New Year period to the workforce and the trade unions.
"These proposals were nothing more than options for discussion and it is disingenuous of Unite the union to suggest that these options were being foisted on our employees when this is clearly not the case."
Unite's Tommy Campbell denied the union was causing unrest, and said: "We have a situation where council managers want to force hard-working manual workers to empty bins and clean streets on their bank holiday, while the managers themselves will no doubt be enjoying time off with their friends and family."
"If management don't withdraw these plans, we will have no choice but to put the matter into dispute, and ballot our members for industrial action."