John Swinney has said "intense dialogue" needs to take place between unions and Cosla to end the current bin strikes across Scotland.
The Deputy First Minister and acting Finance Secretary met with unions and the local government body on Wednesday in a bid to resolve the dispute.
Both sides have failed to reach a deal on pay which led to bin workers in 13 local authorities, including Aberdeen, Glasgow and Dundee, walking out for a seven-day strike on Wednesday.
Cosla 's five per cent offer has been rejected by unions. Following talks between the pair on the eve of the industrial action union bosses called for a meeting with the SNP minister.
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