STRIKE action in SNP First Minister John Swinney’s constituency has paid off after workers won a “credible” new pay offer, according to Unison today.

Schools in Mr Swinney’s Perthshire North constituency were closed for a fortnight last month as low-paid non-teaching staff took targeted action to win an increase on a pay offer worth 3.6 per cent.

Despite the first minister’s protestations that there would be no more cash, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) tabled a new offer to deliver a minimum wage of £15 an hour, and a 5.6 per cent raise for the lowest paid.

Cosla resources spokeswoman councillor Katie Hagmann said they had “listened to Unison’s asks” and were “hopeful that this will enable an agreement to be reached.”

She said: “We have respectfully asked that Unison consider the strengthened offer and suspend any plans for future industrial action.”

Recommending the new offer to members, Unison Scotland’s Collette Hunter said: “Perth and Kinross members working in education establishments and all our members who rejected the earlier offer have secured these fresh commitments from the Scottish government and councils.

“We have also got the Scottish government to come in the room with us and Cosla to seriously discuss £15 per hour, a reduction in the working week and the whole situation with council finances.”

As the SNP Scottish government prepares to publish its draft budget in December, Cosla are as determined as trade unions to ensure the council cash crisis it at the top of finance secretary Shona Robison’s inbox.

Writing to Ms Robison, Cosla council leaders — who face a £585m shortfall this year, rising to an eye-watering £760m in 2026-27 — have demanded their share of the £3.4bn boost to Scottish coffers delivered in last month’s British Budget.

Councillor Hagmann warned of “local government is moving ever closer towards unsustainability.”

She said: “The reality of budget reductions in areas such as roads, planning, culture, and leisure are threatening councils’ ability to meet statutory obligations, including services such as housing and homelessness.

“It is vital that the Scottish government ensures that any additional revenue and capital funding, made available through the UK Budget, is passed on to councils.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We continue to assess the full implications of the Chancellor’s autumn Budget statement.

“Finance Secretary Shona Robison will be announcing further details as part of the Scottish Budget on December 4.”