Wendy Dunsmore of Unite said the unions were “here for the long haul” as industrial action, which has already seen litter pile up on the streets of Edinburgh, spread to other parts of Scotland.
Ms Dunsmore insisted ministers needed to find more cash, as she called on the Scottish Government to at least match the £1,925 pay offer that has been made to council workers in the rest of the UK.
The 5% rise offered to local government staff in Scotland will see workers receive an average of about £900 more a year.
Cleansing staff in the Scottish capital have been out on strike since August 18, with the action timed to coincide with the Edinburgh festivals – with much of the Capital covered in rubbish – and bins overflowing.
5. Dalgrain Road, refuse workers picketing Falkirk Council
Services which are likely to be impacted are: resident and commercial wheeled bin collections; recycling centres at Roughmute and Kinneil; litter bins; street litter and fly tipping clearances; and resident collections. Photo: Michael Gillen
6. Overflowing bins in Edinburgh
Bins are full and people have been urged to take their rubbish home with them Photo: LISA FERGUSON
7. Refuse collectors, street cleansing teams and recycling centre workers on strike
Falkirk Council refuse workers strike started today August 24. Refuse collectors, street cleansing teams and recycling centre workers who are members of Unite plan eight days of strike action. Photo: Michael Gillen
8. Day 6 of the bin strikes in Edinburgh
Rubbish is piling up and litter is scattered across many city centre streets Photo: LISA FERGUSON