GLASGOW City Council has been accused of considering scab labour in a desperate attempt to cover striking workers during Cop26. 

GMB members taking industrial action in Glasgow throughout Cop26 expressed outrage as it emerged that the city council was discussing strike-breaking tactics against cleansing workers who walked out earlier this week. 

Council workforce convener Allan Casey said that the council “supports entirely the right to engage in strike activity,” but confirmed that scab labour was being considered to ensure public safety on Bonfire night. 

The council suggested continuing strikes could see residents in Glasgow put at “unacceptable risk,” but would not cover “regular duties.”  

Mr Casey said: “We would rather this cover could be provided by non-striking council staff and if the GMB could give us that reassurance so that Glasgow residents are not put at unacceptable risk then clearly the use of contractors will not be necessary.”

Workers were joined on the picket lines today by TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady, along with Fridays for Future and other campaigners in Glasgow for Cop26. 

In a statement, the GMB described the suggestion from council leaders that scabs could be used as a “total abdication of responsibility” from the city’s political leadership, calling for council leader Susan Aitken to step down over the dispute.

The statement added: “They have threatened GMB with anti-union laws three times now, and are now threatening use of contractors to break the strike. Tory tactics will not work.

“We met with the council in good faith, offering a clear set of specific proposals local to Glasgow to reset industrial relations and avoid strikes.”

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said the first thing he will do once arriving in Glasgow for Cop26 will be to visit striking cleansing workers across the city.

Speaking to the Star ahead of Cop26 fringes hosted by his Peace and Justice Project next week, Mr Corbyn said he “absolutely supports” the GMB action and that he looked forward to meeting them. 

The issue was also raised in Holyrood, with Labour’s Paul Sweeney quizzing Nicola Sturgeon, calling the threat of strike busting disgraceful and demanding that the SNP leader personally intervenes. 

The First Minister said she appreciated the work done by staff but that GMB’s continuation of strikes was disappointing, denying that strike-breaking tactics were being used.