Ayrshire waste woes won't be extended into next week after refuse workers were presented with a 'credible' deal this afternoon.
Unite the union members were set to go out on strike for the second time next week in a row over pay and terms but positive talks today has prompted the suspension of industrial action.
All three Ayrshire council areas — along with Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City, Angus, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow, Highland, Inverclyde, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian — were set to be affected by waste workers walking out on Tuesday for eight days.
The action followed East and South Ayrshire Council workers striking between Wednesday, August 24 and Wednesday, August 31.
Nicola Sturgeon was credited with aiding today's breakthrough by Unite's lead negotiator saying the First Minister's involvement was the 'primary' reason for the deal emerging.
Unite confirmed the deal consists of a a flat rate fully consolidated offer of £2,000 for those earning up to £20,500.
This is the equivalent to an increase of around 10 to 11 per cent for the lowest paid who are estimated to be around 18 per cent of the total workforce. The offer is consolidated into overtime, allowances and pensions.
It further includes a £1,925 flat rate offer which is fully consolidated for those earning between £20,500 and up to £39,000. This is the equivalent to an increase of 8 per cent for those earning around £24,000. The offer would also be backdated to April.
Unite estimates that trade union negotiators have been able to secure around an extra £460m for local government since the dispute in waste services began in Edinburgh on 18 August.
Wendy Dunsmore, Unite’s lead negotiator for local government said: “After the latest round of intensive talks a new credible offer has finally been put on the table by COSLA. Unite wants to acknowledge the First Minister’s direct involvement as a primary reason for the breakthrough.
"The offer on the table is fully consolidated and as such there will be more cash in the pot going forward for local government workers. It provides a degree of security for the lowest paid with a flat rate offer of £2000 which is an uplift worth around 10-11 per cent.
"We now have a credible offer which our local government representatives can recommend to the membership for acceptance.”
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