Disruption to council services in East Renfrewshire is expected to escalate after union officials announced further strike action by waste and recycling workers.

Unison members in the local area will stage two separate four-day stoppages over the next month in a dispute over pay.

The walkouts are due to take place between Friday, August 26, and Monday, August 29, and then from Wednesday, September 7, until Saturday, September 10.

The announcement comes as Cosla, which represents Scotland's councils, is due to make another offer to local authority staff following a meeting being held today.

Johanna Baxter, Unison Scotland's head of local government, said the latest announcement is the "first wave" of strike action that will escalate unless a "significantly improved" pay offer is made.

"The responsibility for this action lies squarely with the Scottish Government and Cosla, neither of whom seem to have grasped the gravity of this situation," she added.

"Inflation is projected to be as high as 13%, the cost-of-living crisis is hitting people's pockets now and yet local government workers still only have a 2% offer on the table – the lowest offer in the public sector.

"They have had months to sort this out but all we seem to get is dither and delay.

"The last thing Unison members want is a strike but they have simply been left with no other option."

Earlier this week, Unite Scotland announced that cleansing workers in East Renfrewshire will walk out on Wednesday, August 24, and Wednesday, August 31, unless an acceptable pay offer is made.