Unions to make decision on pending bin strikes after improved pay offer

Cleansing workers are set to decide if they will continue with planned strike action after an improved pay offer was tabled.

Refuse and recyling staff from 26 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities are due to take part in the action from August 14.

Unions will meet on Monday morning after it was agreed that “additional funding” identified by Scottish ministers would be used to negotiate with trade unions.

COSLA, the body that represents councils, said it had increased its previous offer of 3.2% which was previously rejected by unions GMB Scotland, Unison and Unite, after they had warned that strikes will only be suspended if a “fair and credible” offer is tabled.

Under the new proposed deal, workers would receive at least a 3.6% uplift in pay, with the lowest paid seeing a 5.63% increase, amounting to £1,292.

COSLA said the overall offer value represents a 4.27% uplift.

Representatives from the three unions will discuss the offer with their local government committees on Monday.

If a revised offer is not accepted, workers will walk out for eight days from 5am on Wednesday August 14 to 4.59am on Thursday August 22.

COSLA’s resources spokespeople Cllr Katie Hagmann said: “Having worked hard over the last week with Scottish Government to increase and guarantee additional funding, leaders are now in a position to make this improved offer to our trade unions.

“This offer reflects what trade unions have asked for and we hope that they will now be prepared to call off the strikes while they put that offer to their members.”