Staff at the Mavis Valley waste transfer station on Balmuildy Road, Bishopbriggs, went on strike from lunchtime today, (Friday, May 9) until Monday, May 13.

Four days of industrial action will also be staged at the Hilton Depot from Saturday, May 10, until Tuesday, May 13.

The council has warned residents about the possibility of their bins not being emptied on Monday and Tuesday.

The decision to down tools was taken after members of general union GMB and public services union Unison were balloted.

A massive 95 per cent of GMB members voted in favour of strike, while 96 per cent backed industrial action 'up to but excluding strike'.

In the Unison ballot, 52 per cent of those who returned their forms wanted to strike, while 65 per cent voted to take industrial action other than strike.

Single status aims to harmonise pay and conditions for council workers across Scotland following local government reorganisation in the mid-90s.

However, many workers in East Dunbartonshire are furious over proposed salary cuts of up to 25 per cent and a loss of allowances such as overtime and weekend pay.

GMB full-time official Stephen Baillie said: "I have never known a ballot with such a high turnout and such a positive response.

"It is quite clear people are annoyed by the council's reluctance to negotiate sensibly.

"It is unfortunate this has to happen, but the response to the ballot shows the anger of council workers, who clearly feel they have been left with no alternative.

"These are staff who will lose a considerable amount of money if the council's proposals go through, so they are quite right to take a stand."

One council worker, who asked not to be named, said: "We want the people of East Dunbartonshire to know that we never wanted for all this to impact on them in this way.

"Unfortunately, we have been left with no other option. The council has not been listening to us and has repeatedly used bully-boy tactics to get its own way."

A council spokesperson said: "There will be serious disruption to all activities at the Mavis Valley waste transfer station and recycling centre and it may have to be closed.

"The action will also impact upon refuse collections and kerbside recycling collections next Monday and Tuesday.

"Householders who would expect a collection on these days are asked to put their bin out as normal, although there is a strong possibility that they will not be emptied.

"If collections do not go ahead then householders are asked to put their bin out when it would next be scheduled to be emptied.

"Excess refuse or recycling can be taken to the Mavis Valley waste transfer station once it reopens on Tuesday. Recycling can be taken to 'bring sites' at any time."

Residents can log on to www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk for updates on services or call 0845 045 4510 during office hours with specific questions.