Wednesday March 25th 2026
Workers in Glasgow's street scene team will vote in a consultative ballot on industrial action (image from GMB)
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Drew Sandelands
Cleansing workers at Glasgow City Council are weighing up whether to go on strike over an “unfair” plan to move them to a new depot.
The GMB union has warned relocating the 30-strong street scene team from the city’s St Rollox depot to Dalmarnock could sabotage efforts to clean-up Glasgow.
Managers at Glasgow City Council have been informed of a consultative ballot on industrial action. It could then lead to a formal vote on a strike.
A council spokesman said the relocation is part of plans to “improve staff conditions, target investment and extend the life of existing facilities wherever possible”.
The union said the move had been ordered without consultation, but the council said unions and workers “have been regularly consulted on the depot review process” in recent years.
Workers gathered outside the St Rollox depot yesterday (Tuesday) before the consultative ballot opened. John Slaven, GMB organiser at the council, wrote to council bosses to oppose the relocation plan.
He claimed the move makes no logical sense, will add to travelling time for workers and make the cleaning of Glasgow’s streets less efficient.
Mr Slaven said: “It makes absolutely no sense to move workers to a new base across the city and then expect them to move back to carry out their work.
“There has been far too little consultation with the staff affected and no consideration at all. Workers cannot simply be moved about like pawns on a chessboard.”
He called for the decision to be paused for “greater consultation” then reviewed and reversed in “the interests of fairness and efficiency”.
“There is a clear and obvious impact on the daily lives of our members as well as their ability to perform their crucial frontlines roles most efficiently,” the union rep added.
“Journeys to and from work will be longer, time will be wasted and services will suffer.”
The council spokesman said the use of depots has been reviewed over several years to “ensure frontline, environmental services are delivered as efficiently as possible”.
“Plans are now being put in place and this will help us to improve staff conditions, target investment and extend the life of existing facilities wherever possible,” he added.
“Depots have until now provided a base for a mix of frontline services, but ensuring refuse collection, street cleansing and parks services have their own separate facilities will help us to manage these services more effectively and responsively.
“This approach will also help to eliminate many unnecessary trips between depots and provide better value for money for council tax payers.
“Our approach to depot renewal has already helped to generate a substantial funding package for the full renovation of our Easter Queenslie depot, where a new recycling centre will be built alongside fully modernised staff facilities.
“Investment and improvements are also being made to other depots included in the new arrangements. Trade unions and staff have been regularly consulted on the depot review process and we will continue to engage with them on this matter.
“GMB has notified the council of their intention to hold a consultative ballot on changes to depot arrangements. The results of a consultative ballot are not legally binding.”
Tweet Share on Facebook
