Bin collectors, janitors and school catering staff across the north-east are set to strike next month amid an escalating row over pay.
Staff at Aberdeenshire and Moray councils are among employees at 17 local authorities all over Scotland – more than half of all council areas in the country – who have confirmed they will go ahead with industrial action.
Trade unions have notified Cosla, the body which represents Scottish local authorities, that their members will strike for a week from November 8-12.
Unison, Unite and GMB also warned it would signal the start of an “escalating” period of action if their demands are not met.
The unions say workers have been left at “breaking point” because they feel undervalued.
‘Combined failure’ led to strike action
“It is the combined failure of both Cosla and the Scottish Government to reward these key workers that has led to the situation where we have now been forced to issue notice of targeted strike action,” said Johanna Baxter, Unison’s head of local government.
“Our members are at breaking point and are worth more than what is on offer – it is deeply regrettable that they should have to withdraw their labour for the employer to recognise their worth.
“Over 55% of local government workers earn below £25,000 per year, and the vast majority have received no reward at all for their efforts during the Covid pandemic. The current offer does not even bring the lowest paid local government workers up to £10 per hour.”
The unions first submitted their pay claim on behalf of around 200,000 workers nearly a year ago.
Unrest is ‘imminent’
Unite’s regional officer Wendy Dunsmore warned “industrial unrest is imminent” unless Cosla and ministers “get back round the negotiating table”.
Drew Duffy, senior organiser of the GMB, added the failure to give workers a pay rise for 18 months was “a disgrace”.
A spokesman for Cosla said: “We appreciate everything that local government workers have been doing, and continue to do, to support people and communities during the pandemic and as we begin to recover.
“We continue with ongoing constructive negotiations.”
A spokeswoman for Moray Council said: “We have an outstanding query with trade unions in relation to the outcome of the ballot, and aren’t in a position to comment further until we receive clarity.”
The Scottish Government said council workers “continue to be integral” to the country’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic – but insisted it is not involved in the negotiations.
“Finance Secretary Kate Forbes is in no doubt about the crucial role that local government staff play and has regularly commended them and thanked them for their efforts,” a spokesman said.
“The Scottish Government is not involved in the local government pay negotiations. Pay settlements for council workers (excluding teachers) are a matter for Cosla and are determined through negotiations at the Scottish Joint Committee (SJC).
“The Scottish Government is not a member of the SJC and council pay is therefore not a matter it can intervene in. It will be for trade union colleagues to reach a negotiated settlement with Cosla.”
Aberdeenshire Council was contacted for comment.