Bin worker strikes postponed across the Forth Valley

Unite, UNISON and GMB are calling off industrial action while they put COSLA's latest pay offer to their members

Council waste and recycling workers with the three unions had been set to walk out for eight days from Wednesday.

After Scottish Government intervention on Friday, a revised pay offer was made by council bosses.

The unions are now going to allow their members to decide if the fresh deal on the table is satisfactory.

Unite workers in Falkirk were set to take part in walkouts. The union are now recommending staff accept the new deal.

Graham McNab, Unite's lead negotiator for local government said: “Unite members across all of Scotland’s councils should be applauded for standing firm. They have remained resolute in an effort to secure a fairer and better pay offer." 

“We believe that the new pay offer is credible. For the first time in years, it will mean all council workers receiving an above inflation increase."

“Unite will now suspend the eight days of strike action so a ballot can take place on the new offer.” 

GMB members in Stirling and Falkirk were going to be involved in strikes this week. The union have criticised the negotiations process, while confirming they will also ballot members on the new offer.

GMB's senior organiser in public services, Keir Greenaway, said: “This offer is a significant improvement on what came before but our members will decide if it is acceptable.

“It is better than that offered to council staff in England and Wales, would mean every worker receives a rise higher than the Retail Price Index and, importantly, is weighted to ensure frontline workers gain most.

“As a gesture of goodwill, we will suspend action until our members can vote on the offer.

“It should never have got to this stage, however, and Scotland’s council leaders have again shown an absolute lack of urgency or sense of realism.

“For months, we have been forced to waste time discussing a series of low-ball offers when it was already clear the Scottish Government needed to be at the table.

"The obvious reluctance of some council leaders to approach ministers has only caused needless uncertainty and threatened disruption.

“That is no way to run a railroad or conduct serious pay negotiations.”

UNISON, meanwhile, had a strike mandate in the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Council areas. They will now ballot workers, but are recommending their members reject the new offer.

The union's local government lead David O’Connor said: “UNISON has suspended recycling and street cleansing strikes while staff are consulted on COSLA’s latest offer.

“UNISON’s view is that it’s still not enough. Council staff have seen the value of their pay reduced by 25% over the past 14 years and any pay deal needs to do more to reverse this.”

“The union has been clear all along that the wage deal needs to work for everyone in local government. This pause will provide some breathing space for further dialogue.”