SOME of East Lothian's waste workers intend to strike later this month – but East Lothian Council says it “doesn’t expect any interruptions to services”.

Unite the union confirmed yesterday (Wednesday) that its members across all waste services in more than a dozen councils, including East Lothian Council, are to walk out in response to a “pitiful” two per cent local government pay offer.

The days of strike action begin on August 24 and end on August 31.

It is estimated about 1,500 Unite members across 15 councils will join their colleagues in City of Edinburgh cleansing and take part in the second wave of strike action.

The Courier understands that fewer than 10 per cent of waste workers in East Lothian are Unite members.

'Had enough'

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Unite’s members play a crucial role in keeping Scotland’s bins emptied and streets clean, and they have had enough of the procrastination between COSLA and the Scottish Government that has led us to where we are now.

“Our members across all councils will receive the union’s complete support until this dispute is resolved and a fair pay offer secured.

“Unite will always defend the jobs, pay and conditions of its members.”

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council said: “We are aware of the confirmation by Unite for a period of industrial action within local authorities later this month.

“However, both the small number of staff that may be involved in such industrial action and the fact that this is confined to waste services means that any impact may be limited and we don’t expect any interruptions to our services.”