Council workers vote for strike

Council workers have rejected a 2.5% pay rise offer

Scotland's councils are to be hit by an all-out strike on 20 August after union members voted to take industrial action over a pay dispute.

Members of the Unison, Unite and GMB unions will walk out after rejecting a pay rise of 2.5% each year for the next three years.

They gave their backing to the strike in a series of ballots.

Michael Cook, chairman of local authority body Cosla, said he was "saddened" by the results.

Dougie Black, Unison's lead negotiator for local council staff, said 70% of the union's ballots had been in favour of strike action.

We value our workforce and strike action is the last thing we wish to see them taking Michael Cook Cosla chairman

He added: "This result is a clear rejection of an inadequate offer. Our members are clear that they cannot afford another series of below inflation pay increases.

"Inflation is at 4.6% and key items on household bills like bread and milk are increasing even faster. Our members need a fair offer from their employers. We have a window of opportunity to see if we can avoid disruptive strikes. I hope the employers take it."

Unison's local government members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland took strike action over a similar 2.45% offer on 16 and 17 July.

The union has also announced that it intends to demand reopening negotiations in the NHS over a three year deal which offers similar rises in years two and three.

Scottish Trades Union Congress general secretary Grahame Smith gave his backing to the strike threat, and called for local authority employers to return to the negotiating table with an improved offer.

'Amicable solution'

He added: "The ballot results reveal that local government employees are not prepared to accept an offer which would result in an ongoing effective deterioration of earnings for the next three years.

"The unions representing local government have now demonstrated to the employers and to the Scottish Government, that the existing offer falls far short of what could be considered reasonable in the current climate of rising costs.

"The STUC calls on the local government employers to return to the negotiating table with an improved offer which addresses the increases in living costs of those workers who provide the essential services to the most vulnerable in Scotland."

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Cook said Cosla's negotiating team was "always available for constructive discussion" and had written to the unions to tell them this.

Mr Cook added: "There is always a chance to reach an amicable solution when you are talking. We value our workforce and strike action is the last thing we wish to see them taking.

"I would repeat that I and my colleagues are always available for further dialogue and I would urge our trade union colleagues to come back to the negotiating table to explore what options are open to us."