About a 3rd of council areas will likely be impacted – with 10 native authorities being warned of business motion from catering workers, janitors, cleaners and assist employees.
The motion comes after GMB Scotland’s members rejected the 5.5% provide from council umbrella physique, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), in April, branding it unacceptable amid surging inflation and the cost-of-living disaster.
The union, which represents greater than 21,000 employees throughout 32 councils, claimed Cosla refused to revise the provide or ask the Scottish Government for assist.
Staff will stroll out on September 13 and 14 in Aberdeen, Clackmannanshire, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Falkirk, Glasgow, Orkney, Renfrewshire and South Ayrshire.
More strikes may happen throughout colleges and early years in September with the members of one other union already voting for industrial motion whereas one other is at present balloting members.
GMB Scotland mentioned the Cosla provide would imply an increase for the lowest-paid employees in Scotland’s councils that’s £700 much less this yr than that supplied to colleagues in England and Wales .
Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser for public providers, mentioned a gathering on August 25 can be the ultimate alternative for Cosla to avert disruptive strikes.
Mr Greenaway mentioned: “The latest figures show that, despite rising wages, pay is still being outstripped by inflation.
“The pay offer to council workers does not come close to matching the surging cost of living and one that is worth less with every month that passes.
“Scotland stands on the shoulders of our local authority workers and the value of their work must be reflected in their salaries.
“Cosla has refused to seriously engage with our members during what has been a protracted, frustrating process. If they had, parents and pupils would not now be facing disruption.
“Cosla and Scottish ministers need to engage now or risk turning a crisis into a calamity.”
It is a proposal which recognises each the very important function of the individuals who ship our important providers throughout councils on daily basis and the worth that we, as employers, place on them
A Cosla spokesperson mentioned: “The reality of the situation is that as employers, council leaders have made a strong offer to the workforce.
“A strong offer which clearly illustrates the value councils place on their workforce, and it compares well to other sectors.
“It recognises the cost-of-living pressures on our workforce and critically, it seeks to protect jobs and services.
“While the offer value in year is 5.5%, the average uplift on salaries going into the next financial year is 7%.
“Those on the Scottish local government living wage would get 9.12% and those at higher grades, where councils are experiencing severe recruitment challenges, would see 6.05%.
“It is an offer which recognises both the vital role of the people who deliver our essential services across councils every day and the value that we, as employers, place on them.
“Crucially, it also raises the Scottish local government living wage by 99p to £11.84 per hour and sets out a commitment to work with our trade unions to develop a road map to £15 per hour in a way that protects our workforce and services we deliver.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson mentioned: “Local government pay negotiations are a matter for local authorities as employers and unions.
“The Scottish Government and Cosla have committed to respect this negotiating arrangement as part of the Verity House Agreement.
“Despite UK Government cuts, the Scottish Government has provided a further £155 million to support a meaningful pay rise for local government workers, which has been taken into account in the pay offer already made by Cosla.
“The Scottish Government urges all the parties involved to work together constructively and reach an agreement which is fair for the workforce and affordable for employers.”
