A UNITE official told the BBC on Monday morning that school and early years staff could strike as soon as the beginning of September.
Thousands of staff, including janitors, cleaners, caterers, classroom assistants and administration workers will take targeted action in the new school term.
The union said it comes after no improved pay offer was put on the table following talks with council umbrella body Cosla.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Where are the strikes taking place?
In total, ten council areas will be affected by disruption. They are:
- Argyll and Bute
- Clackmannanshire
- Dundee
- East Dunbartonshire
- East Renfrewshire
- Fife
- Glasgow
- Inverclyde
- Orkney
- Western Isles
When are the strikes due to begin?
Asked when industrial action could start, regional officer for Unite in Scotland Graham McNab said: “I would reckon early September at the earliest.”
He said the union was waiting for the Unison ballot to finish before a final decision on dates would be made.
Why is industrial action taking place?
McNab said members are being treated “like second class citizens” and that the recent meeting with Cosla was “just like groundhog day”.
“It’s going back to when they made the original offer to us. Nothing has changed, nothing has improved”, he said.
Asked on how the strikes could be averted, he explained: “We’ve been quite clear for months now to Cosla that they need to make the same offer as they made last year which is £2000 to the lowest-paid members that we’ve got.
“As I’ve said before, we’ve got members that are really struggling just now.”
How has Cosla responded?
A Cosla spokesperson said the “strong offer” raises the local government living wage by 99p to £11.84 per hour.
They said: “The reality of the situation is that as employers, council leaders have made a strong offer to the workforce. A strong offer which clearly illustrates the value councils place on their workforce, and it compares well to other sectors.
“It recognises the cost-of-living pressures on our workforce and, critically, it seeks to protect jobs and services.
“While the offer value in-year is 5.5%, the average uplift on salaries going into the next financial year is 7%. Those on the Scottish local government living wage would get 9.12% and those at higher grades, where councils are experiencing severe recruitment challenges, would see 6.05%.
“It is an offer which recognises both the vital role of the people who deliver our essential services across councils every day and the value that we, as employers, place on them.
What about the Scottish Government?
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Local government pay negotiations are a matter for local authorities as employers and unions.
“The Scottish Government and Cosla have committed to respect this negotiating arrangement as part of the Verity House Agreement.
“Despite UK Government cuts, the Scottish Government has provided a further £155 million to support a meaningful pay rise for local government workers, which has been taken into account in the pay offer already made by Cosla.
“The Scottish Government urges all the parties involved to work together constructively and reach an agreement which is fair for the workforce and affordable for employers.”
