Edinburgh businesses fear another summer of bin strikes

City cannot cope with more disruption, they say>

Residents have been evacuated after a fire broke out at flats in Edinburgh in the early hours of the morning.

Businesses in Edinburgh have said the city cannot cope with another summer of bin strikes as workers prepare to vote on industrial action.

The GMB union has said its members will vote on strike action later this month after rejecting a 2% pay offer from the local authority.

If the strike goes ahead, it will be the second summer in a row that Edinburgh has been hit by industrial action by bin workers.

Businesses have said they are already struggling to cope with the impact of the cost of living crisis and a strike would only add to their problems.

A spokesperson for the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce said: "We are extremely concerned about the prospect of another bin strike in Edinburgh.

"The city is still recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and businesses are facing a number of challenges, including the cost of living crisis and the war in Ukraine."

"A bin strike would only add to these challenges and would be a major blow to the city's economy."

The council has said it is committed to working with the union to reach a resolution.

A spokesperson for the City of Edinburgh Council said: "We are aware of the GMB's ballot and we are committed to working with them to reach a resolution.

"We understand the concerns of businesses and residents and we are doing everything we can to avoid a strike."

The ballot will close on 23 May and the result will be announced on 25 May.