UNION chiefs have written to COSLA demanding movement on a pay deal amid claims a backdated settlement will push some of Glasgow City Council's lowest paid staff over the threshold to receive Universal Credit.

GMB Scotland says that any further delay to implement a pay offer they agreed earlier this month will heap even more financial pressure on the lowest paid frontline workers.

Both GMB and Unite have rubber-stamped an offer from COSLA, which represents Scotland's councils, for a 3.6 per cent increase for all grades, meaning a rise of £1,292 for the bottom bands, equivalent to 5.6 per cent.

However, the deal has stalled as an agreement is still to be reached with Unison, which represents the bulk of employees.

The Glasgow Times understands that a meeting will take place with council leaders across the country on Friday to decide whether to action the deal at this point for the two unions who have agreed terms.

The letter by Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland Senior Organiser, calls for the ‘harmful pay delays to end’.

Mr Greenaway states: “We have spelt it out to council leaders that any further delay will heap even more financial pressure on workers.

“Workers should have had their pay rise in April, but we all fought for a better offer, with some council leaders involving the Scottish Government. One of our sister unions has rejected the deal as they seek improvements for some of their members, and we respect their right to do that.

The letter continues: “Although no council worker should need to claim Universal Credit, we know thousands do, and the longer the delay in payment is, the bigger the impact on those staff.

“These workers can lose their Universal Credit when back pay is given out, meaning their back pay actually then loses its value and worth. Council pay departments should be preparing already and as soon as the leaders agree they should start work on actioning the pay rise. We expect leaders to put their workforce first and implement the rise next week to end harmful delays.”

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Union bosses say that Scotland’s council leaders have shown a lack of realism during months of drawn-out bartering.

Chris Mitchell Chris Mitchell (Image: Colin Mearns) Chris Mitchell, GMB's convener of cleansing, said: "Our slogan is 'don't delay, pay today'. Energy prices are going up in October and Christmas is just around the corner, so our members just want to see the agreement signed and the extra money in their next pay.

“People are realistic and realise there is only so much cash in the pot, we think the uplift people will see from this negotiation is fair - and we want to see that handed out. We are finally at a figure that is equitable."

Chair of UNISON Scotland’s local government committee, Colette Hunter, adds: “UNISON is by far the largest union in local government, and our members have overwhelmingly, 86 per cent, voted to reject COSLA’s pay offer. We have strike mandates in councils across Scotland. UNISON Scotland’s local government committee will be determining our next steps.”

A COSLA Spokesperson added: “This pay offer is at the absolute limit of affordability for local government and fully exhausts all available additional funding from Scottish Government.

“Local Government have a responsibility to ensure sustainable service delivery for our communities across Scotland. We are clear that increasing the value of any pay offer would have very serious consequences. We remain concerned that Unison’s expectations cannot be met without further unpalatable difficult decisions.

“We would urge Unison to reconsider our offer, which the other unions have recognised is a strong and credible one, and which has an overall value of 4.27 per cent. While Unison have rejected our offer this does not mean negotiations have stalled. We continue to engage actively with our unions in seeking an agreed pay settlement.”