John Swinney refuses to say if he will step in to avoid summer bin strikes across Scotland

John Swinney has refused to say whether he will intervene to avoid strikes from waste and recycling workers that could lead to rubbish piling up on the streets.

The First Minister was asked repeatedly by STV political editor Colin Mackay if he would follow his predecessors and step in to provide local authorities with more cash.

But the SNP leader refused to say whether he would personally get involved, adding that negotiations between council umbrella body COSLA and trade unions should resolve the issue.

While he did not rule out an intervention, Swinney warned the Scottish Government “simply cannot conjure up money where it doesn’t exist”.

The FM said he wanted to avert any industrial action which he added was bad for both workers and the public.

GMB, UNISON and Unite rejected the latest pay offer at the weekend, which COSLA described as “strong, fair and credible”.

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‘Stinking summer’ looms as council workers reject latest pay offer

The deal offered employees a 3.2% rise between April this year and March 2025, which the body said was higher than inflation.

Unions have said that “no extra cash” had been added by COSLA and warned if the offer is not improved, refuse workers across Scotland could walk out, leaving bins unemptied in a repeat of rubbish chaos last seen two years ago.

If strikes do go ahead the disruption will impact a majority of Scotland’s council areas.

Swinney said that while he would engage with those involved in the dispute it was “fundamentally” for trade unions and local authorities to resolve, adding that public finances are “under acute strain” already.

Asked if he would intervene to avoid what the unions described as a “stinking summer”, the First Minister said: “What I’m saying is that there has to be a negotiation between the local authorities and trade unions to resolve this matter. That’s where the negotiation needs to happen.

“I want to make sure that the proper discussions between local authorities and trade unions take their course.”

Asked if he could fund a better pay deal for refuse workers in order to avoid industrial action, Swinney said: “You’re familiar, Colin, with the enormous pressures on the public finances.

“These have been marshalled to parliament. I marshalled them throughout the General Election campaign.

“These difficulties cannot be wished away.

“The enormous pressures in the public finances exist and the Government simply cannot conjure up money where it doesn’t exist.”

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser in public services, said John Swinney’s refusal to intervene in the escalating council pay dispute is sabotaging any hope of a resolution.

He said: “Council workers in England and Wales have already been offered a pay rise substantially better than what is on the table here while the new UK government is suggesting other public sector workers can expect above inflation rises.

“Our local authorities are delusional if they believe workers in Scotland will accept anything less and if they cannot fund a comparable offer then they have nowhere to turn but the Scottish Government.

“The first minister must act immediately to help find a resolution and avert the threat of disruption to frontline council services delivered by our members and relied on by communities up and down the country.

“As this dispute continues, ministers can no longer sit on their hands and look the other way.”

UNISON, Unite the Union and COSLA have been approached for comment.