Edinburgh: What happens when a city’s waste collectors go an a strike?

Edinburgh in the United Kingdom is known as one of the most beautiful and aesthetically pleasing cities in the world. The beautiful synchronised European architecture makes you feel like you are on a big dreamy movie set, waiting for great stories to unroll in front of you. 

But the city is currently filling up with trash almost everywhere, as the refuse workers are on an 11-day strike. Refuse workers, who collect garbage from homes, offices and public bins, began their strike on 18 August after the British and Irish trade union organisation Unite rejected the formal 3.5 per cent pay increase proposed by COSLA.

The workers on strike have justified their demand saying it is difficult to manage finance amid the rising cost of living and inflation. Several people have expressed support for the workers and want them to be remunerated fairly. 

At present, tourists from different countries are in Edinburgh to celebrate Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival which celebrates art and culture. The streets overflowing with trash in the presence of hundreds of tourists are compelling the administration to reconsider the importance of refuse workers and their job. 

Here’s what Edinburgh looks like, just three days into the refuse worker strike:

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