Potential strike action across Forth Valley

Council and school workers across the Forth Valley could strike in a dispute over pay. 

Trade union UNISON is balloting members for strike action.

They've rejected a pay offer from council body COSLA.

91% of members rejected the pay deal.

The union says there could be "mass" walkouts in August.

UNISON Scotland local government committee chair Colette Hunter said: “It’s disappointing that it’s come to a strike ballot. But Cosla has refused to either improve its pay offer or join unions in their call to meet the Scottish government to discuss additional funding.

“Striking is always a last resort, but workers deserve to be paid wages reflecting their essential roles. They’re determined to achieve just that.”

UNISON Scotland lead for local government David O’Connor said: “Cosla’s proposal falls short of UNISON’s pay claim. It's also less than the offer made to the lowest-paid local government staff south of the border.

“It does nothing to address the impact of below-inflation pay settlements that have reduced the value of staff wages by a quarter over the past 14 years. Scotland’s council workers deserve much better.”