Strike 'risks public safety'

Safety will be put at risk, the council says

Public safety will be put at risk by Thursday's one-day strike by some workers, according to Edinburgh City Council.

The stoppage is part of the public services union Unison's campaign of calling out selected staff in councils around Scotland in pursuit of a higher pay rise offer.

The last action, on 1 November, saw about 600 workers walk out for a day in 19 local authorities.

Unison said the move was designed to affect council administration, rather than essential services.

Edinburgh City Council has warned that the withdrawal of emergency cover by some staff on Thursday could jeopardise road gritting, building safety and flood prevention preparations.

Some gritter drivers will not work

Of the 100 employees expected to join the action, 75 would normally be available for duties such as road gritting.

The council has described Unison's action as "irresponsible".

The union said the staff were taking part in the strike because the council had used agency staff to break the strike action in its planning department.

It also said other, non-Unison members, were gritter drivers and that cover would remain.

Unison, which represents more than half of Scotland's council workers, is seeking a 5% increase to bring Scottish workers in line with those south of the border.

The pay negotiations have been going on for a year.

Scotland's councils improved their initial 2.5% offer after two one-day stoppages on 29 August and 20 September.

The Scottish Executive has already increased the money available for local government after councils complained they would have to make further cuts to services to fund pay awards.