Council workers strike in Scotland

Unison is the largest union involved

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Tens of thousands of local government workers in Scotland, members of three unions, have been on a 24-hour strike over pay.

The largest union Unison claimed the strike was having a major impact on council services across Scotland with an estimated 150,000 workers protesting against a 2.5% pay deal over the next three years.

Some schools had been forced to shut, as support staff walked out and many that stayed open had limited services, such as no school meals.

Rubbish collection, street cleaning, and environmental protection were halted in many councils, and social work offices and day centres shut.

Joe Di Paola, head of employers organisation for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, admitted that the strike had caused a "level of disruption in all councils". However, he said councils had reached local agreements to continue providing services to the most vulnerable, such as emergency social work.

"It's a question of prioritising, councils can't provide all their services today," he said.

Addressing a rally in Glasgow's George Square, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis, said: "It is time that Scotland's employers took note of the strength of feeling amongst their staff and reopened their 'final offer' for negotiation.

"The level of solidarity that I have seen going round the picket lines indicates that our members and their colleagues from the other unions are determined to win a better deal. Council staff in Scotland have delivered nearly £200 m worth of efficiency savings that councils should share with staff as well as with council tax payers."

COSLA said it was prepared to go back to the table with the unions.

"We are urging unions to meet again and renegotiate. The only way to resolve this is by negotiation," said Mr Di Paola.

But he added: "Inflation hits councils just as much as council workers. The unions are demanding a 5% pay rise, which councils in Scotland cannot afford."

No date has yet been set to continue talks.