Unions have warned ministers to act on a “window of opportunity” to end looming bin strikes after council leaders voted to ask the Scottish Government for additional money.
Cosla, the body which represents Scotland’s 32 local authorities, agreed the decision at an emergency meeting on Wednesday.
It comes as waste and recycling workers across the majority of councils threaten a “stinking summer” as Unite , GMB and Unison rejected the latest 3.2% pay offer.
Similar strikes in 2022 and 2023 were resolved after the Scottish Government intervened with additional funding.
There remains a window of opportunity before any strike action takes place and we stand ready to enter negotiations at any time, but we will not be suspending any action until that fair offer is on the table
Graham McNab, Unite
Unions have welcomed Cosla’s decision, however they said it has not come soon enough.
An improved offer of 5.2%, or £1,290, for the lowest paid workers could be enough to prevent industrial action, Unite has said.
The Labour amendment at the Cosla meeting was passed by 17 votes to 14, according to Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe.
It said Cosla would “seek additional funding for pay” and urged unions to “suspend any industrial action pending further discussions with the Scottish Government”.
Graham McNab, industrial officer at Unite, said: “Unite has been calling for discussions involving the trade unions, the Scottish Government and Cosla for months now so we welcome all efforts that bring everyone together in order to find ways which can break through the current impasse.”
Mr McNab said the dispute is “now in the hands of the politicians”, adding it would take an offer of at least £1,290, or 5.2%, for workers on around £25,000.
“There remains a window of opportunity before any strike action takes place and we stand ready to enter negotiations at any time, but we will not be suspending any action until that fair offer is on the table,” he added.
Keir Greenaway, senior officer for GMB Scotland, welcomed the decision but said it has been taken too late.
“It has been clear for some time that local authorities do not have the will or resource to make a fair and acceptable pay offer and an approach to the Scottish Government was the only route to a resolution,” he said.
“Instead of making that approach, finding agreement and averting industrial action, council leaders have sat on their hands for months while our members were forced to wait for a pay offer that fairly recognises their work.
“If the Scottish Government does not come to the table urgently, there will be no meaningful discussions, no route to a resolution and no chance of halting strike action.”
Unison Scotland local government lead David O’Connor said: “First Minister John Swinney needs to step up and help solve this dispute. The vast bulk of council funding comes from the Scottish Government, and it’s responsible for the council tax freeze, which prevents local authorities from raising further funds.
“Cosla leaders’ decision to request a joint meeting with Government is to be welcomed. Unison has been calling for this to happen for months.
“It appears the threat of rubbish piling up in the streets and school closures is the only thing Cosla and the Government will listen to. But they both need to show a commitment to solve this dispute before industrial action is suspended.”
Mr Swinney has repeatedly said he wants to see the dispute end, but declined to comment on the possibility of providing additional money when questioned by journalists on Tuesday.
Cosla resources spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann said it had been agreed to raise the issue with the Scottish Government.
She said: “We are disappointed the Scottish Joint Council (SJC) trade unions have chosen to reject the revised pay offer made on July 18. This offer of 3.2% over 12 months is at the absolute limit of affordability for councils, given the extremely challenging financial situation local government is facing.
“We believe this offer, which is above inflation, is fair, strong and credible. There is no more money available within existing council budgets to fund an increased offer without unacceptable and damaging cuts to jobs and services.
“Cosla remains committed to continuing negotiations towards finding a solution as quickly as possible, seeking to avoid industrial action and its damaging impact on our communities. In response to calls from trade unions, Cosla leaders agreed to raise the matter of local government finance and pay with the Scottish Government.
“As no decisions can be taken until these discussions have taken place, we request that the trade unions pause industrial action. Cosla are in the process of contacting the trade unions and Scottish Government on this.
“Council leaders value the local government workforce and their essential work across our communities and remain committed to reaching an agreeable solution as quickly as possible.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Local government pay negotiations are a matter for local authorities as employers and unions.
“The Scottish Government urges all parties involved to work together constructively and reach an agreement which is fair for the workforce and affordable for employers. Any request for a meeting will be considered carefully when received.”
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