FURTHER equal pay strikes could hit Glasgow as early as this month.

Unison and GMB say that their members voted "overwhelmingly" for industrial action.

The GMB say that 97.8% of returned ballots showed that social care, cleaning and catering staff voted to walk out. 

READ MORE: Glasgow equal pay dispute: Strikes could restart, says Unite

And, Unison said 96% of their members have voted to down tools.

Both unions claim that the council has "failed" to resolve outstanding equal pay settlements or replace its discriminatory pay and grading system.

It could mean further equal pay strikes affecting services from as early as the end of this month and there could be disruption in the land up to the local authority elections at the beginning of May.

GMB Scotland Organiser Sean Baillie said: “Our members need equal pay justice and an end to the discriminatory pay and grading system that remains in place.

“That’s the clear message this ballot result sends to the council officials who should be negotiating properly with our claimant groups and to every councillor seeking election in May.

“The council’s liabilities are growing every working hour of every working day and the cost will likely run into the hundreds of million yet again, so the situation is critical for our members, the services they deliver, and the city’s finances.

“That’s why we need an urgent negotiation process to be conducted in good faith between the council and the claimant groups, if strike action is to be avoided.” 

READ MORE: GMB boss calls for council to sell Salvador Dali painting to foot Glasgow equal pay bill

Lyn Marie O'Hara, UNISON Branch Depute Chair, said: "This is a huge vote for action and a clear message to the council to resolve the dispute. 

"The UNISON branch will now request authorisation for strike action from our NEC and be liaising with our sister trade unions on the next steps in the industrial dispute. 

"The trade unions will also continue to receive regular updates from the claimants joint legal team on the current negotiations with the council lawyers. The council should now listen."