A leading trade union is urging COSLA to get back around the table to help prevent the industrial action scheduled for next week. 

Cleansing, refuse and recycling workers are expected to walk out next Wednesday, August 14 for eight consecutive days after the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), the Scottish Government and the trade unions failed to reach a pay deal.

Unions voted against an offer which would have seen workers receive a 3.2% rise for a one-year period between April 1 this year and 31 March 2025 which COSLA had described as “fair, strong and credible”.

The GMB is still hoping COSLA might make another offer later this week, which will help low paid workers still struggling with the cost of living, and help prevent strike action. 

Chris Mitchell, Glasgow’s GMB cleansing convenor, said: “I believe a meeting could be held later this week between the Scottish Government and COSLA and I think that will be the last throw of the dice. 

“If that meeting goes ahead that would be the last meeting for them to make a credible offer that stops the strike action.

“I am hoping that if this meeting goes ahead they will make an offer that is better than the original one of an increase of 3.2% over a year.

“This offer does nothing for the low paid worker. In the last couple of years we have seen a slight increase in our wages now. Inflation might be going down slightly but the cost of living is going up and you see that everyday – people are still struggling.”

COSLA said that it is working to find a solution as quickly as possible but a meeting had not yet been confirmed. 

A spokesperson said: “Negotiations are ongoing and considerable work is being done at pace to explore all options with regards to local government pay. 

“A constructive joint meeting between COSLA, trade unions and the Scottish Government took place late last week, but as it stands there is currently no new funding identified for councils to increase pay beyond the current offer. 

“With no new funding in place yet, the most recent 3.2% offer is the absolute limit of affordability for councils, without putting jobs and services at risk in the current challenging financial climate we are facing. 

“We value our workforce and are working at pace to find a resolution as quickly as possible, especially given the impacts of the industrial action that is planned to start on 14 August.”