WASTE, refuse and street cleaning staff in the region will go on strike on August 14.
They will walk out for nine days from then after rejecting a 3.2 per cent pay offer from Cosla, the local government employer organisation.
Although UNISON Scotland local government lead David O’Connor described talks earlier this week as ‘positive’, he believes this is best way forward to reaching a better deal.
He said: “Talks this week with the Scottish Government were positive. The cabinet secretary says he understands that additional funding from government is necessary and has committed to work towards that.
“UNISON has been trying to get pay resolved since the beginning of the year and these government talks come too late to prevent strike notices being served. But at least we’re forcing employers and government to focus on trying to find a settlement.”
UNISON Scotland local government chair Colette Hunter added: “Strikes are always the last resort. But local government staff have seen the value of their wages reduced by a quarter over the past 14 years.
“They’re simply asking for a pay deal that recognises the essential services they deliver and starts to address years of below-inflation pay settlements.
“Cosla and the Scottish Government must understand the anger among council staff. They are resolute and strikes will go ahead unless a solution can be found.”
