Schools and nurseries in Barrhead and Neilston could still close next week as unions move to reject a new pay offer.
Unite, Unison and the GMB warned last night that the proposed three-day strike in East Renfrewshire schools and early years centres will still go ahead unless the dispute over pay is resolved.
Planned strikes across education and waste services do however remain suspended in Renfrewshire.
Local government body COSLA yesterday upped its previous offer of a five per cent increase in wages, stating all those who earn less than £39,000 will receive a one off cost-of-living payment.
This would ensure that the lowest paid workers would, for this year alone, receive a minimum pay increase of £1,925.
But the offer has been slammed by all three public sector unions who argue the entire £1,925 must be made permanent.
A failure to meet this offer means that workers in cleaning, janitorial, catering and pupil support services will stage a walk out in East Renfrewshire from September 6 to 8.
Further planned strikes in cleansing services will also go ahead, with local bin men set to take part in another eight days action, also starting on September 6.
Mark Ferguson, chair of Unison’s local government committee, said his colleagues have repeatedly told COSLA and the Scottish Government that the current proposal does no represent a decent uplift in wages for its members long term.
Explaining inflation is currently at 12.3 per cent, the Paisley-based rep said: “This is the first time since devolution that we have embarked on industrial action like this.
“Half of council workers earn less than £25k per year and 85 per cent earn less than £39k per year - they are all worrying about paying their bills.
“Inflation is continuing to rise, and our members are being asked to take a real-terms pay cut which will plunge even more of them into debt.
“Strike action is the last resort and we are always open to get around the table to reach a solution.”
Unite industrial officer Wendy Dunsmore also said the temporary nature of the pay rise for the lowest earners remains her biggest concern.
She said: “Unite has rejected outright the latest pay offer from COSLA.
“The structure of the offer continues to disproportionately and unfairly effect the lowest paid with the majority of those being women.
“In real terms it leaves the lowest paid workers no better-off and a significant proportion of the offer does not enhance overtime, allowances or pensions.”
“Unite’s strike action remains scheduled for next week unless COSLA gets back to us with a credible offer which addresses our primary concerns.”
GMB has also urged COSLA to return to the negotiating table, with the union’s senior organiser for public services in Scotland Keir Greenaway.
He said it simply was “not credible” that council directors would get “four times the consolidated increase than a bin collector, cleaner or carer”.
The new pay offer comes after East Renfrewshire Council was forced to contact parents on Friday stating the planned strike next month meant school closures were likely.
A spokesman for East Renfrewshire Council said it was reviewing what impact the strikes would have on schools, stating more information would be shared with families in the coming days.
