All three unions have suspended planned cleansing worker strike action as members consider an improved pay offer.
Refuse and recycling staff from 26 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities were due to strike for eight days from August 14.
Unite, GMB and Unison met on Monday morning after it was agreed that “additional funding” identified by Scottish ministers would be used to negotiate with trade unions.
Representatives from the three unions discussed the offer with their local government committees.
By Monday afternoon, all three unions had announced they will suspend the upcoming action in order for members to vote on the proposed offer.
Unite said it would recommend members accept the pay deal, adding a ballot will run for ten days from September 5.
Graham McNab, from Unite the Union said: “Unite members across all of Scotland’s councils should be applauded for standing firm. They have remained resolute in an effort to secure a fairer and better pay offer.
“We believe that the new pay offer is credible. For the first time in years, it will mean all council workers receiving an above inflation increase.
“Unite will now suspend the eight days of strike action so a ballot can take place on the new offer.”
On Monday afternoon, GMB Scotland confirmed it would also suspend strike action.
Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser in public services, said: “This offer is a significant improvement on what came before but our members will decide if it is acceptable.
“As a gesture of goodwill, we will suspend action until our members can vote on the offer.”
Unison later confirmed that it also had suspended strike action, however it recommended members reject the offer as the union is also continuing its strike ballot of schools, early years and family centre staff.
Unison Scotland local government lead David O’Connor said: “Unison has suspended recycling and street cleansing strikes while staff are consulted on COSLA’s latest offer.
“Unison’s view is that it’s still not enough. Council staff have seen the value of their pay reduced by 25% over the past 14 years and any pay deal needs to do more to reverse this.
“The union has been clear all along that the wage deal needs to work for everyone in local government. This pause will provide some breathing space for further dialogue.”
The Scottish Government said it provided £77.5m to fund an improved pay offer.
Finance and Local Government Secretary Shona Robison said: “We value this vital workforce and I welcome the fact that members will now be able to consider this strong pay offer which was reached following a strategic intervention from the Scottish Government.
“It has paused the prospect of costly industrial action this week which would have impacted businesses and communities across Scotland.
“Our swift action to ensure this strong offer could be made has been taken against an extremely challenging financial landscape and – while fair – represents the absolute limit of affordability.
“In order to fund the offer, we will have to move money from elsewhere in the budget and reduce funding for other programmes. We are taking on significant, additional financial pressure and have been clear painful choices have had to be made to fund this pay deal.
“The offer will provide an above inflation pay increase for all and support the lowest paid. I am pleased it is now with the workforce for their close consideration and would urge members to strongly consider this significantly improved envelope.”
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.
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