Renfrewshire union bosses have warned that strike action would see school closures and waste piling up on the streets.
Unison has demanded a meeting with First Miniser Nicola Sturgeon and Finance Secretary Kate Forbes over the local government pay dispute.
Last week the union served notice to 31 Scottish local authorities and Tayside Contracts about its targeted strike action.
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Select groups of workers will be balloted including those working in schools and nurseries as well as in waste and recycling services.
COSLA, the umbrella body representing council employers, has offered staff a two per cent increase, but unions have said that with inflation at a 40-year high and topping 11 per cent, this represents a real-terms pay cut.
Unison Renfrewshire Branch Secretary and chair of Unison Scotland’s local government committee, Mark Ferguson, said: “People seem to have forgotten who kept our country going during the past few years – these workers are the ones who kept childcare hubs open so other key workers could get to work, they cared for our most vulnerable and buried our dead.
“They went above and beyond in service to our communities and deserve to be paid fairly.
“With over half of local government workers earning below £25k each year, low pay remains a significant issue that is seeing councils struggling to recruit into key service areas. As everyday living costs continue to rise, these workers are struggling financially to make ends meet.
“Not only do these dedicated local government workers deserve way better than a below-inflation pay offer, but there’s a service requirement to provide one if councils are to recruit and retain staff in key service areas.
“It’s no wonder our local government workers feel undervalued. After years of declining pay and cuts to local government budgets, it’s time for COSLA and the Scottish Government to get round the table to ensure sufficient funding is available to give our local government workers the fair and decent pay rise they deserve.”
GMB Scotland Senior Organiser Keir Greenaway also warned: “This is what years of failure at all levels of government looks like – a decade of failed austerity, the passing on of cuts to communities, and a meek acceptance of the consequences locally. It’s a far cry from the doorstep applause of virtue-signalling political leaders just two years ago.
“It shows everyone there are no political superheroes and if you want wages that confront soaring inflation then you need to organise and fight for it. That’s exactly what our members are doing and unless an improved pay offer is tabled then industrial action looks inevitable.”
The ballots will open from June 10 and close on July 26. If the ballots for industrial action are successful then strike action could begin in August, disrupting the beginning of the new school term.
In a letter to both Scottish Government ministers, Unison – along with the joint trade unions – is warning that if the pay dispute is not swiftly resolved then strike action will “close schools across the country and see waste piling up on the streets.”
A COSLA Spokesperson said: “COSLA values the essential roles that all local government workers carry out on a daily basis. We remain in active discussions with our trade union partners.”
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