Refuse workers’ strike: Scottish councils make new offer

theguardian.com:

Refuse workers in Scotland have been presented with a new offer in an attempt to end ongoing strike action.

Council cleansing staff across much of the country are striking over pay disputes. A strike in Edinburgh that led to rubbish including food waste building up in the streets during the Edinburgh festival fringe – the busiest time of year for the city – is due to end on Wednesday, while staff in authorities across Scotland have taken action over the weekend, with a further stretch planned for next week.

The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has faced a backlash after attending a series of events and public appearances while people have been enduring what Scottish Labour’s business manager, Neil Bibby, described as “litter-strewn streets”.

“The first minister needs to fund councils properly and secure a fair deal for council workers and bring an end to this chaos, as well as using the powers she has to help Scots struggling with soaring bills,” Bibby said.

Sturgeon travelled to Copenhagen on Friday to officially open the Scottish government’s Nordic office, and she made a number of appearances at the Edinburgh festivals.

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Unison, Unite and GMB, the three unions that are striking, are calling on the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), the SNP-led umbrella group for Scotland’s 32 councils, to combat the cost of living crisis by implementing a £3,000 flat-rate pay award in an attempt to help lower-paid workers, rather than a percentage increase, which would benefit the highest-paid staff.

After talks between the unions and Cosla on Sunday, it is understood an offer has been made to halt