Unite today said it has launched a ballot over pay at every Scottish local authority, including in this region.
The union has served notice to all local authorities that strike ballots are imminent in an escalating pay dispute.
Thousands of workers in schools and cleansing roles will be be balloted, from June 10 to July 26 – and if it is successful, then strike action could begin in August at the beginning of the new school term.
Unite along with other local government trade unions has rejected outright a two per cent pay offer from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities’ (COSLA).
General secretary Sharon Graham said: “The last offer on the table from the employer was a pathetic two per cent. When the broader cost of living has now hit 11.1 per cent, this is a huge pay cut and simply not acceptable when workers face punishing living costs.
“Our members are not putting up with this and they will have their union’s full support in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions in local government.”
Wendy Dunsmore, Unite industrial officer, added: “There has been some acknowledgement by COSLA that the two per cent offer is nowhere near good enough and local government workers deserve a significant increase. However, we now need action not words and more letters, or strike action is on the horizon.”
