| Most nursery, primary and secondary schools were closed, council offices and leisure centres were shut and rubbish collection was stopped.
However, services providing meals for the elderly and vulnerable people were operating in most areas.
The Tay and Forth road bridges were toll-free as collection staff walked out (writes Grant Smith).
Mr Rory Malone, Dundee branch secretary of Unison, said the support from council workers for today’s action had been “absolutely fantastic”.
“It has gone very well. Council buildings have been closed all over and very few people have crossed the picket lines.
“There has been a great volume of support from the general public.”
Mr Malone said he believed there were almost no services running. He described the situation as unfortunate, but said workers felt they had no choice.
“We are hopeful this action will encourage the Scottish Executive to get back around the table. It’s all about justice.”
The Scottish TUC and the public sector unions held a march and rally in the city.
The dispute is over Government plans to scrap the Rule of 85, which allows council employees to retire at60 if their age and years of service add up to 85.
Civilian support staff at Tayside Police were also involved in the strike, with pickets in place at the Bell Street HQ. A spokesperson for the force was unable to say what impact the strike was having on operations.
An unexpected spin-off from the dispute was fewer than normal delays for commuters heading into the city during morning rush-hour. With schools shut and many people not going to work, traffic flowed relatively smoothly.
Dundee City Council was making no official comment on the strike — its press officers were not working. |
