Mark Thomas heads benefit gig

Mark Thomas is heading a benefit gig in support of Edinburgh’s striking refuse workers.

Rubbish has been piling up in the Scottish capital in the second half of the Fringe as hundreds of GMB and Unite union members take industrial action, due to run until August 30.

Local authorities this weekend increased their below-inflation pay offer from 3.5 per cent to 5 per cent but Unite said it would not take the offer to its members as there was insignificant detail about how it affects the lowest paid workers.

Now Thomas has joined forces with the city’s Stand venue to organise a benefit in solidarity with the strikers on Wednesday. The money raised will go straight to the GMB’s official strike fund.

Thomas says: ‘These are the workers who got us through Covid and now they are being told to take a real cut in their wages. It’s unacceptable and they deserve our support in fighting back.’

GMB support worker Kirsten Muat added: ‘Too many local government workers across Scotland are already suffering in work poverty. The bin men in Edinburgh are striking to try and put an end to that.

‘GMB are incredibly grateful to everyone supporting the striking workers, including all the comedians and members of the public coming along to the benefit gig.’

The benefit will take place at The Stand’s New Town Theatre at 9pm on Wednesday. Tickets are £20, or £5 for strikers.

Also on the bill are Jason Byrne, Jo Caulfield, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Mark Nelson, Shazia Mirza, Suse McCabe, Rachel Fairburn, Vladimir McTavish and Danny Bhoy.

Published: 22 Aug 2022