UNIONS representing the bulk of local government workers in Scotland have written to council bosses to reject their pay offer. 

Unite, Unison and GMB said that the offer from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) of up to £800 for the lowest-paid workers does little to address issues of low pay that have become endemic after a decade of austerity.

The unions complained that insufficient time was given to consider the proposal, with the deadline for an improved offer passing on April 1, when pay increases normally come into effect. 

Cosla has now been warned that there could be further action to secure a higher offer, with the current proposal falling far short of the £2,000 or 6 per cent sought by the unions. 

Unite’s Wendy Dunsmore said: “All these workers have stepped up and gone beyond the call of duty, many of them literally putting their lives on the lines. It’s high time for Cosla and the next Scottish government to do likewise or they shouldn’t be forgiven.” 

The Morning Star has approached Cosla for comment.