Support staff at East Renfrewshire’s schools have voted in favour of strike action as they bid to win better pay and conditions.

The move by the likes of caterers, cleaners and janitors could cause major disruption at all primary and secondary schools in the area during the first two weeks of November.

Officials at the GMB union revealed that 92.5% of their members had voted to take industrial action over the most recent pay offer.

Along with two other trade unions, GMB had asked for a flat rate increase of £2,000 a year.

However, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), which manages pay negotiations on behalf of councils, has made a counter offer of £850 per annum.

Kirsten Muat, GMB organiser for East Renfrewshire, said strike action would be “a last resort,” adding that there is still time for “a better offer” to be tabled.

She told the Barrhead News: “None of our members want to go on strike and we want to avoid it if at all possible. However, they know the work they do is important.”

East Renfrewshire has seven secondary schools and 26 primary schools which would be affected by strikes.

Any industrial action would begin on November 1, as Glasgow welcomes world leaders to the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference, including American President Joe Biden.

Ms Muat added: “We’re talking about some of the lowest paid workers in Scotland here – people who went into work every day during the pandemic, caring for the most vulnerable, opening hub schools, making sure vulnerable children were fed, delivering medicines, manning the vaccination centres, picking up the bins, maintaining the parks so we could still use them.

“Every Thursday, politicians from the Scottish Government and East Renfrewshire Council stood on their doorsteps and applauded these people – but applause doesn’t pay the bills.”

Cosla has said “constructive” talks on a pay deal are ongoing.

A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Council added: “We have not had confirmation on any action from GMB. However, we will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the unions and hope to avoid any possible disruption to services.”