WASTE workers are set to strike in numerous local authorities across Scotland.
Notices have been served by the trade union Unison to eight council areas informing them of the dates that waste and recycling workers will take strike action following a dispute over pay.
They include Aberdeenshire, Clackmannanshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Stirling and South Lanarkshire councils.
GMB union members also working in waste and recycling management are already set to walk out on the same dates chosen by Unison.
When is the strike action happening?
The first wave of action will take place on August 26, 27, 28 and 29 and September 7, 8, 9 and 10.
It coincides with a wider plan of industrial action by three trade unions across local government.
Why are they striking?
Local government workers have been offered a 2% pay rise, which unions say amounts to the lowest offer in the public sector and fails to keep up with inflation.
Johanna Baxter, Unison Scotland head of local government, said: “This is the first wave of strike action which will only escalate if a significantly improved pay offer is not forthcoming. Strike dates for schools and early years workers will be confirmed in the coming days.
“The responsibility for this action lies squarely with the Scottish Government and COSLA, neither of whom seem to have grasped the gravity of this situation.
“Inflation is projected to be as high as 13%, the cost of living crises is hitting people's pockets now and yet local government workers still only have a 2% offer on the table, the lowest offer in the public sector.
“They have had months to sort this out but all we seem to get is dither and delay.
She continued:"Our understanding is that the money provided by the Scottish Government is half of what COSLA asked for and goes nowhere near matching the pay offer provided to council workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“If this is true then the Scottish Government and COSLA need to get back round the table and come up with a better plan or services will stop.
“The last thing UNISON members want is a strike but they have simply been left with no other option.”
The move comes on the day that Cosla leaders meet to discuss the pay for local government workers once again following additional funding provided by the Scottish Government last week.
