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Professor John Robertson OBA
Today on BBC Birmingham & Black Country:
Birmingham’s all-out bin strike brings six months of ‘absolute chaos’
Ah, surely that big strike in the 70s was worse?
Nope
The Glasgow binmen (refuse collectors) strike began as an unofficial walkout on January 6, 1975, involving around 350 workers protesting pay disputes with Glasgow Corporation. It ended on April 14, 1975 [13 weeks], when strikers returned to work after negotiations, leading to over 70,000 tons of uncollected rubbish piling up in streets and backcourts. The Glasgow binmen (refuse collectors) strike began as an unofficial walkout on January 6, 1975, involving around 350 workers protesting pay disputes with Glasgow Corporation. It ended on April 14, 1975 [13 weeks], when strikers returned to work after negotiations, leading to over 70,000 tons of uncollected rubbish piling up in streets and backcourts.
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/history/glasgows-rubbish-strikes-1975-kicked-24877335
Only half as long.
OK then, what about a more recent one?
In the Express on 29 October 2021, Anas was keen to talk.
Even more recent?
Scotsman 1 August 2024 – Anas keen to talk again despite:
Recent Scottish Bin StrikesAs of September 11, 2025, there are no ongoing or recent bin refuse strikes in Scotland. The most notable recent dispute was in 2024, where planned strikes by waste and recycling workers (members of Unison, GMB, and Unite unions) across 26 of Scotland’s 32 councils were suspended before they could begin. These were set to last 8 days (from August 14 to August 22, 2024) in a pay dispute with COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities). An improved pay offer (averaging 4.24% for the year April 2024–March 2025) led to the suspension on August 12, 2024, with unions balloting members instead. No actual industrial action occurred.For context, here’s a summary of major historical Scottish bin strikes, focusing on duration:
| Year | Duration | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 16 days (August 18–September 2) | Started in Edinburgh over a pay dispute amid the cost-of-living crisis; spread to 20 councils. Resolved after a 10% pay deal funded by the Scottish Government. Overflowing bins led to health warnings in affected areas. |
| 2024 | Planned 8 days (suspended; 0 days effective) | Threatened across 26 councils during Edinburgh Festival Fringe; averted via negotiations. |
| Earlier (e.g., 2009) | Up to 8 weeks in some areas (e.g., Stirling) | Part of a national UK dispute; affected multiple Scottish councils but resolved regionally. |
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