The latest pay offer to council workers has been deemed “disappointing” and “inadequate” by the leader of Glasgow City Council.

Councillor Susan Aitken has said COSLA needs to make a more credible offer to council staff threatening industrial action and that they can’t expect workers to accept the most recent offer. 

It comes after workers were offered £10.50 an hour in line with the living wage criteria after the initial offer of a 2% raise was rejected by the trade unions. 

READ MORE: Council workers in Glasgow to strike after unions reject pay offer

Glasgow’s GMB convenor has also said that an offer must be greater than a 3.5% increase but couldn’t confirm how much members were willing to settle for at this stage. 

Chris Mitchell said: “The offer is not good enough. It will do nothing to help with the cost of living or the energy crisis that we face.

“I think this is an opportunity for COSLA to get this right. I do hope we can come to an agreement to stop strikes from happening.

“If you look at the  Edinburgh festival thousands of tourists will see waves of rubbish dumped on the streets will no doubt cause rats –  then this will be the same across Scotland.

“All we are looking for is recognition that the work the public sector workers carry out is important. Just look at the global pandemic respect and dignity must be recognised and that comes with a decent pay rise.”

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While some council leaders wanted the pay offer to be higher, others felt that making a lower offer might force the Scottish Government to give more.

Glasgow City Council says it is too early to tell what the impact of strike action will be on the council.

Councillor Aitken added: “At a time when so many people are worried about rising prices – and relying more than ever on local services – councils across the country need to make a credible increased pay offer to workers.

“I’m very disappointed that the deal which has been put in front of them is so clearly inadequate. We can’t expect it to be accepted. 

“Councils have made the case for additional funding for local government – but we also have to be prepared to take responsibility for our communities and our staff and find more from our own budgets.”

COSLA was approached for comment but had nothing further to add at this time.