TRADE unionists representing Scotland’s council workers have written to Holyrood ministers and local authorities to warn that staff are continuing to struggle to put food on the table during months of stalled pay talks.

Public service union Unison has written to Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and local government leaders to warn of looming industrial action if they fail to improve their pay offer to local government workers.

Ms Forbes met with council umbrella group Cosla today to discuss local government funding, as Unison warned that workers are suffering with no pay deal imminent. 

Earlier this year, local government workers voted overwhelmingly in an indicative ballot to reject Cosla’s current pay offer and in favour of taking industrial action in pursuit of an improved offer.

There have now been warnings that any action could disrupt school openings, with all three of the trade unions involved – Unison, Unite and GMB – currently preparing ballots on industrial action. 

In a letter, Unison Scotland head of local government Johanna Baxter said that members are worried about how they will put food on the table. 

“Our local government workers kept our country going during the pandemic. Yet these workers have been forgotten about,” she said.

“Industrial action is always a last resort, but our members feel they have been left with little choice. 

“The best way to lift people out of poverty and regenerate our economy would be to put money into the pockets of the lowest paid.”

A Scottish government spokesman told the Morning Star that it could not intervene in the matter and that it would be unions’ responsibility to reach an agreement. 

A COSLA spokeswoman said:  “We have made an offer to our trade union colleagues.  This offer remains on the table whilst we continue with on-going constructive negotiations.”