Glasgow Cleansing Protest

‘waste crisis’ rally held in George Square, Glasgow.

A day of action was held on Saturday.

100's of bags of rubbish have been dumped outside of Glasgow City Council as part of a day of action calling for more investment to tackle the city’s “waste crisis”.

Campaigners from the GMB Union and Living Rent held a rally in George Square on Saturday.

They have called for the recruitment of 100 new road sweepers and 100 new refuse collectors, as well as the reduction of agency staff to less than 5%.

They are also calling for an end to the bulk uplift charge and the re-introduction of back court teams.

The rubbish dumped in George Square was collected by action teams from different streets and backcourts in Govanhill, Govan, Partick and Dennistoun, as evidence of what they say is the council’s “neglect”.


Campaigners from the GMB Union and Living Rent held a rally in George Square on Saturday.

They have called for the recruitment of 100 new road sweepers and 100 new refuse collectors, as well as the reduction of agency staff to less than 5%.

They are also calling for an end to the bulk uplift charge and the re-introduction of back court teams.


The rubbish dumped in George Square was collected by action teams from different streets and backcourts in Govanhill, Govan, Partick and Dennistoun, as evidence of what they say is the council’s “neglect”.


Living Rent Dennistoun branch Chair Caroline Robertson insisted that cleansing services and communities need properly funded public services.

She said: “As COP26 approaches and the eyes of the world are on Glasgow, communities in the east end need to make GCC clean up its act and invest in more clenny workers to keep our streets clean.

“GCC ‘sprucing up’ Glasgow and passing responsibility for street cleaning onto communities to impress tourist heads of state is utterly insulting.”


Robertson added: “Clenny workers have been essential before the pandemic, during and will continue to be. They’re fighting an uphill battle to keep streets clean.

“Cleansing services and communities need properly funded public services.

“This isn’t just Glasgow City Council’s problem. If the money isn’t there, then the Scottish Government needs to ensure it is. Glasgow’s MSPs can’t be allowed to pass the buck.”