School janitors in Scotland's biggest city will boycott their duties in a dispute over pay.

Unison members employed by Cordia as primary and nursery school janitors will begin the industrial action on January 19 by boycotting a number of duties.

The union says Cordia, an arms length organisation (Aleo) of Glasgow City Council, is refusing to pay a working context and demands payment (WCD) to school janitors. It claims Cordia is "using spurious arguments to justify not making this payment".

In the official ballot, 98% voted to take action short of strike action. This will involve ceasing the duties of weeding, litter picking, snow clearing, salt spreading, leaf clearing, heavy lifting, spillage clearing and animal clearing from January 19.

In the ballot, 95% voted to take strike action if the dispute requires to be escalated at a future point. There are now 130 school janitors who are Unison members.

Teachers, education support workers, cleaners and catering staff have been advised by their trade unions not to undertake the duties which the janitors are boycotting.

Brian Smith, Unison Glasgow secretary, said: "Unison is very clear that school janitors meet the criteria to be awarded this payment.

"Our members have been left with no option other than to take this action as both Cordia and the council are wrong and just not listening to our members.

"The council needs to get round the table with Unison and agree a negotiated settlement of our members legitimate claim."

Glasgow City Council and its Aleos pay structure awards payments to workers who undertake duties which are dirty, unpleasant, involve working outside on a regular basis or heavy lifting.