Union leaders are demanding Aberdeen City Council apologise to refuse collectors after announcing without consultation that bin collections would be reduced to fortnightly.

After a meeting with angry workers on Thursday the Unite T&G Union said they want council officials to meet with staff. They also want written assurances that there will be no redundancies as a result of the changes.

Tommy Campbell (pictured), regional industrial organiser of Unite, said: "The staff wish to make it clear that there is a potential for a trades dispute should there be no apology for recent disrespectful behaviour and if there is no written agreement to guarantee no redundancies."

Councillors voted for the move to help the cash-strapped local authority. The reduced collections - expected to take effect in the autumn - will save the city council £824,000 a year.

Officials said the move will increase recycling levels. They claim it is necessary to avoid fines in the millions of pounds that could be imposed by the European Union if the current levels of waste continue going to landfill.

Unions fear up to 40 jobs could go and are seeking assurances that the changes will not affect staffing levels.