An HGV driver dismissed by Glasgow City Council after pictures emerged showing him on his phone while behind the wheel of a bin lorry is appealing the decision.

The driver who has been working with the local authority for more than 20 years was photographed on his phone back in August. 

The case has left GMB cleaning members saying they feel constantly scrutinised and under pressure from the city council.

Trade Union convenor Chris Mitchell said that drivers felt they were being dismissed “for the least wee thing”.

And one city HGV driver, who asked not to be named, said that the job has increased his stress levels.

He said: “The minute you turn a key or take a vehicle out you feel all eyes are on you and that you are in a goldfish bowl and the public are not helping especially when they are looking for problems.

“The drivers are under tremendous pressure and they are scared to go into these vehicles and the way things are going drivers would rather go road sweeping as they feel a lot safer. 

“The minute you bump something you are suspended and fear losing your job.”

But a source close to the council insisted being on your mobile phone while driving is not a slight misdemeanour. 

News of the appeal comes after Mr Mitchell called for more training to help HGV drivers navigate the narrow streets of the city and avoid making minor mistakes like hitting kerbs or bumping parked cars. 

He said: “Our members are angry that one of their own was let go because of pictures that appeared in a newspaper.

“We want a new approach on how we deal with issues in the workplace. Are we going to constantly take the public’s side when they put whistleblowing complaints in? 

“We need more protection for our drivers and that will include more training is put in place. We cannot continue to go down the route where we are investigating, disciplining and dismissing the drivers constantly for the least wee thing. 

“It is making people nervous to join the service because of things like this. GMB members have had enough. They feel constantly under pressure and scrutiny when it comes to health and safety and these policies need to be looked at.

“We want our employers to stand by us.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “We do not comment on individual personnel issues.

“The HGV-qualified drivers we take on to drive our refuse vehicles will undergo a period of assessment at our Daldowie training centre to ensure they can manoeuvre the vehicles appropriately.

“All drivers then undergo annual training to ensure they maintain the statutory standard expected by the Certificate of Professional Competence for HGV licensed driving.”