Thousands of key council workers are set to go on strike in a row over pay.

Unite has confirmed that Glasgow and East Renfrewshire members in education and early years services have voted for industrial action.

The strikes will kick off when schools return after the end of the summer holidays and will involve janitors, cleaners, caterers, classroom assistants and administrative staff.

It comes after the latest disputes with the Convention of Local Authorities (COSLA). 

A five per cent offer was rejected in May 2023 by 84 per cent of those who were balloted.

Eight other councils set to be impacted by the industrial action are Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Fife, Inverclyde and Orkney.

Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The message for both the Scottish Government and COSLA is loud and clear.

"Thousands of our members have voted to take strike action in education and early years services because they won’t accept a real-terms pay cut.

"Our members deserve far more than the five per cent being served up by the politicians.

"We will support our members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions in local government.”

Graham McNab, Unite industrial officer, added:  “Unite’s members will no longer be taken for granted or undervalued across Scottish councils.

"Our education and early years members are key workers who help to ensure that children have the safest and best possible learning environment."

A COSLA spokesperson said the “strong offer” raises the local government living wage by 99p to £11.84 per hour.

He said: “The reality of the situation is that as employers, council leaders have made a strong offer to the workforce. A strong offer which clearly illustrates the value councils place on their workforce, and it compares well to other sectors.

“It recognises the cost-of-living pressures on our workforce and, critically, it seeks to protect jobs and services.

“While the offer value in-year is 5.5%, the average uplift on salaries going into the next financial year is 7%. Those on the Scottish local government living wage would get 9.12% and those at higher grades, where councils are experiencing severe recruitment challenges, would see 6.05%.

“It is an offer which recognises both the vital role of the people who deliver our essential services across councils every day and the value that we, as employers, place on them.

“Crucially, it also raises the Scottish local government living wage by 99p to £11.84 per hour and sets out a commitment to work with our trade unions to develop a road map to £15 per hour in a way that protects our workforce and services we deliver.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Local government pay negotiations are a matter for local authorities as employers and unions.

“The Scottish Government and COSLA have committed to respect this negotiating arrangement as part of the Verity House Agreement.

“Despite UK Government cuts, the Scottish Government has provided a further £155 million to support a meaningful pay rise for local government workers, which has been taken into account in the pay offer already made by COSLA.

“The Scottish Government urges all the parties involved to work together constructively and reach an agreement which is fair for the workforce and affordable for employers.”