COUNCIL bosses have pleaded with binmen and school staff to reconsider taking industrial action during COP26.

Around 1300 Glasgow City Council employees have vowed to down their tools during the climate summit over a pay rise row with COSLA.

The local authority says that the strikes - due to take place from November 1 until November 8 - will have an "unfair local impact in Glasgow in pursuit of a national campaign."

A statement reads: "We have urged the GMB to reconsider the timing of their strike action, which will take place during the COP26 conference and at a time when the city will already face a wide range of challenges.

"We believe this strike action will have a disproportionate and unfair local impact on Glasgow in pursuit of a national campaign."

It comes after the GMB rejected a "kick in the teeth" pay proposal from COSLA - the representative body for all local authorities in Scotland.

READ MORE: Striking binmen to join Greta Thunberg in COP26 Glasgow climate march

The union knocked back the association's £850 pay rise proposal for those earning up to £25,000 a year after 95% of staff balloted against the bid last month.  

Glasgow City Council's statement adds: "We remain hopeful that an agreement that satisfies all parties can be found, but we must also prepare for the prospect that strike action goes ahead as indicated.

"This action has the potential to affect all aspects of the city's cleansing service, including household refuse collections and street cleansing work such as emptying public bins and clearing fly-tipping.

"We are working on contingency plans with the aim of providing services to protect public health where ever possible. How householders manage their waste during this time can also help to minimise the impact of any loss of service."

Council chiefs apologised to residents for any inconvenience that the strikes may cause. 

Elsewhere, rail workers also plan to walk out during the climate event over a pay rise feud with ScotRail. 

It is, however, understood that a new offer has been made by the employer to avoid the industrial action, which is due to commence from November 1 until November 12.