COP26: Strikes and disruption during Glasgow climate summit

Scotland is hosting thousands of delegates for the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.

But they face a city where tourist attractions are closed, rail services are cancelled and cleaners and refuse collectors are out on strike.

About 120 world leaders are expected to attend the United Nations summit, which runs from 31 October to 12 November.

What is the impact on the city itself, during talks that could bring major change for lives across the world?

Glasgow's main tourist attractions are closed to the public for the duration of the summit, which is hosted at the city's SEC campus.

The Riverside Museum, Kelvingrove Museum, Gallery of Modern Art and others venues are all affected as some staff are moved to work on the city's COP26 team.

Glasgow Life, which runs culture and leisure venues for the city council, said this was necessary to support the delivery of the conference.

Venue closures

The Emirates Arena sports venue remains open, but it is expected to be busy as areas are used for COP26 delivery.

A Glasgow Life spokeswoman said: "The significance of COP26 means that, inevitably, there will be an impact on how the city operates during the event.

"In supporting the delivery of COP26 activity, a small number of Glasgow Life venues will be closed to the public, either for part of or the duration of the conference.

"Across the wider venues we have reopened, it is our intention to minimise disruption and operate business as usual as far as possible."

About 1,500 Glasgow City Council staff in refuse, cleansing, school janitorial and catering roles confirmed they would strike over an ongoing pay dispute.

A joint trade union group, including Unison, Unite and the GMB, is seeking a £2,000 pay increase from Scotland's local authority umbrella body Cosla.

They are calling on staff to take "targeted" strike action during the second week of the summit.

Cosla has offered an £850 flat rate rise for the lowest paid staff and 2% for those paid less than £40,000 a year.

Wendy Dunsmore, of Unite, said: "The incredible professionalism and sacrifice by local government workers has not been recognised during the Covid-19 pandemic."

Johanna Baxter, of Unison, said more than half of local government workers earned under £25,000 a year and many were at "breaking point".

The call for industrial action came as council leader Susan Aitken was criticised for the mess of the city ahead of the climate conference.

Rail workers said they would strike during the UN summit, in a separate dispute over pay and conditions - but action was called off after the RMT accepted a pay deal.

The union initially said members who work for ScotRail would strike from Monday 1 November until Friday 12 November.

However days before the summit began, RMT members agreed to the offer which they would provide them with a one year 2.5% pay rise, improved conditions and a £300 COP payment for all ScotRail staff.

It brings an end to strikes that have been ongoing since March.

COP26 delegates have been encouraged to travel by train to reach the SEC conference venue, which is served by its own station, Exhibition Centre.

Staff on the Caledonian Sleeper will hold four 24-hour strikes. These are on Sunday 31 October, Monday 1 November, Thursday 11 November and Friday 12 November.

Many roads in the city have also been closed from Saturday 23 October until Monday 15 November.

Transport Scotland warned drivers to avoid the SEC area and expect delays on the M8 as this will be the main route for delegates travelling to the summit.

The area around the SEC site will see the greatest impact. More than 9,000 people living in Glasgow's Finnieston, Anderston and Yorkhill areas are affected by road closures, parking restrictions and security measures.

Five schools near the SEC site will be closed in Glasgow on 1 and 2 November due to road restrictions impacting travel.

The closures affect the Glasgow Gaelic School - which has a nursery, primary and secondary - Anderston Primary, Cranstonhill Nursery, St Patrick's Primary and the adjoining Sandyford Day Nursery.

Glasgow City Council has notified the families of the children affected, outlining "alternative learning" arrangements.

A council spokeswoman said: "We apologise for any inconvenience to families, but we feel that our children's learning will be better spent at home on these days instead of potentially being stuck on a long journey to and from school."

The COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow in November is seen as crucial if climate change is to be brought under control. Almost 200 countries are being asked for their plans to cut emissions, and it could lead to major changes to our everyday lives.