Glasgow cleansing staff ‘will keep fighting any closure proposals’

Staff staged a protest outside the Dalmarnock base in Glasgow’s East End on Thursday over concerns they will be squeezed into cramped conditions while facilities are being redeveloped at Easter Queenslie.

Union bosses claim that consolidating crews from their current depots will impact staff morale and compromise the effectiveness of bin collections and say workers will ultimately be based further from their runs.

Chris Mitchell, GMB Cleansing Convener, says that employees’ rights must be protected.

Chris Mitchell (Image: supplied) He added: “We might lift rubbish, but we won’t be treated like it.

“These depots are old and tired and already at capacity. Basing more staff at them, even on a temporary basis, isn’t going to wash. There isn’t enough room, and we won’t sit back and see people squeezed into Portacabins. Changes like this make zero sense, unless of course they are happening to allow the council to look at selling off land where these long-standing depots are situated.

“It’s not just here in the East End, we are talking about the western depot also potentially closing too, with workers being moved to Dawsholm. It simply isn’t good enough. It’s like trying to squeeze 20 people into a phone box.

“These places are too small, and the conditions are not up to the standard we would expect. Our members work hard and deserve better.”

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The Glasgow Times understands that a review by council bosses into the current sites across the city has been ongoing for around three years.

Council planners have already approved the redevelopment of the Easter Queenslie site, a move they say will support efforts to “expand the range of materials that can be recycled through domestic bins”.

The project, scheduled for completion in 2027, will include a new material recovery facility, which would handle items such as plastic containers, bottles, cans, paper and cardboard.

However, refuse staff say they will continue to oppose any plans they view as ‘needless centralisation’.

(Image: supplied) David O’Neil, who has worked at the Dalmarnock depot for over 46 years, said any closures would make no sense.

He added: “Why would you want to close this site and move the guys miles away?

“We are close to Celtic Park, The Barras and Emirates Stadium, so we can service these areas right away. It’s common knowledge that this is one of the best depots in the city, so why shut it? I’ve worked here since I was 17 and the place is more than just bricks and mortar, it is part of Glasgow’s history.”

A council spokesman says the site at Easter Queenslie will help to improve staff conditions and has been identified as a key hub for waste management and recycling.

They added: “We have been reviewing the use of our depots to ensure all frontline services are delivered as effectively as possible and plans are now being put in place.

“The review process will help us to improve staff conditions, target investment and extend the life of existing facilities wherever possible.

“This approach has already generated a £41m funding package for the full renovation of our Easter Queenslie depot, where a new recycling centre will be built alongside fully modernised staff facilities.

“Consolidating our facilities will also help us to focus on how we deliver our refuse collection, street cleansing and waste disposal services.

“We are confident this approach will enable more efficient services that provide better value for money for council tax payers.

“We have been engaging routinely with trade unions on this and we are communicating directly with staff affected by any changes.”