Two unions have rejected an offer to end the council strikes that have led to rubbish piling up on the streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Cosla, the local government body, made a new offer today after talks with unions over the weekend.

Unite and Unison have said they are rejecting the offer, stating it is unfair on the lowest paid workers.

Strikes planned for next week are now likely to go ahead unless an improved offer is made.

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE:Eight shocking pictures from Glasgow city centre as cleansing strikes continue

Unite union said the offer remains a minimum of 5% on average across the local government pay grades with a varying one-off payment. For the lower paid it is estimated to be around £989. 

 Unite estimates the offer in total represents, for around 85% of the workforce, between £1,925 and £2,000. 

Union leaders said it is not enough in the current cost of living crisis.

Unite industrial officer Wendy Dunsmore, said: “Unite has rejected outright the latest pay offer from COSLA.

Glasgow Times:

“The structure of the offer continues to disproportionately and unfairly effect the lowest paid with the majority of those being women. In real terms, it leaves the lowest paid workers no better-off and a significant proportion of the offer does not enhance overtime, allowances or pensions.”

READ MORE: Inside the Royal Navy ship being built on Glasgow's River Clyde

“The offer remains unacceptable and it represents a waste of precious time. We understand the gravity of the situation across the country but equally our members are facing the worst cost of living crisis in a generation. Unite’s strike action remains scheduled for next week unless COSLA gets back to us with a credible offer which addresses our primary concerns.”  

Johanna Baxter head of local government at Unison, said: “Unison negotiators have worked day and night to find a solution to this crisis.

“We welcome the contribution the Scottish Government has made to date and Cosla’s commitment to scrapping SSSC fees, their agreement to a one-off cost of living increase and additional days leave.

“However, as we have repeatedly told them both, the size of the current cost envelope is simply not big enough to deliver a decent consolidated wage rise for the majority of our members.”