The City of Edinburgh Council is advising residents to expect some disruption to Council services tomorrow (Wednesday 20 August) as a result of nationwide industrial action by Unison, Unite and GMB.
Councillor Gordon Mackenzie pledged that the Council would do its best to maintain services: "There will definitely be some disruption but we will try to make sure that we preserve lifeline services for the people of Edinburgh. We have contingency arrangements in place and will continue to gather information about what is likely to happen on the day. The best way for people to get the latest situation is to contact the service directly, but we’ll also be updating our website and providing information to local radio.”
"We have asked Unison for exemptions for a range of services and some of these have been granted. We will continue discussions with them in order to safeguard the interests of the most vulnerable people in our society. We fully respect union members' right to strike and to protest, but hope that is done in a peaceful and safe manner which does not affect the rights of those staff who choose to work as normal. Those staff who strike, including those unwilling to cross a picket line, will lose that day's salary."
Councillor Mackenzie added: "The fact that there is a strike at all is very disappointing. Everyone is aware of the difficult economic situation generally, with rising prices and the credit crunch, but we have to hope that there is a realistic and fair outcome from negotiations between COSLA and the unions.”
Some Council buildings may be closed. Please check in advance before travelling.
The above services and School Crossing Guide services may be affected. Children who usually have school lunches are encouraged to take a packed lunch. Information on opening and closing will be available from Tuesday 19 August on the Council website and be broadcast on Forth One and Forth 2. For further information tel 0131 200 2383.
Vulnerable clients will be prioritised for an emergency service. If you are aware of an adult or a child at risk tel: 0800 731 6969. All current day service users should check with their service before attending. No adult lunch clubs will be operated by school kitchens.
Homeless people or those in need of emergency accommodation tel: 0131 529 7368. Council tenants needing emergency repairs tel: 0131 200 2345.
Households with scheduled Wednesday collections should put out their bin as normal. If your bin is not emptied, please remove it from the kerbside and represent your bin the following Wednesday. Any additional bin bags will be collected at this time.
There will be no Council trade waste collections in the city centre on Wednesday 20. Businesses with scheduled Wednesday collections are advised to present trade waste on Thursday 21 and leave it out until collected. Every effort will be made to maintain cleanliness in the city centre and we ask for businesses' support in keeping streets and pavements clear and litter to a minimum.
There will be no garden waste collections on Wednesday 20 August. Households with scheduled collections are advised not to present their waste until their next scheduled collection date or take it to the nearest recycling centre.
Callers are asked to be patient and persistent as there will be considerable pressure on these telephone lines. Updated information will also be available on the Council's website www.edinburgh.gov.uk.
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