For Argyll

The biggest union representing Scottish local authority workers, Unison, saw the majority of its members accept the final pay offer of 3% this year and 2.5% next year, tabled by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla). At the same time, Unite, representing a smaller number of workers saw its ballot produce a rejection. Now GMB workers, in the last ballot to be concluded, have also rejected the offer. GMB members voted almost 2 - 1 against. All three unions had recommended rejection.

Now GMB officials will decide their strategy at a meeting next week. Its senior Scottish organiser, Alex McLuckie, said: ‘GMB members have spoken clearly and this will be paramount when deciding our next steps’.

Scotland has already experienced two one-day strikes by local authority workers, causing widespread disruption to a wide range of services, affecting more fragile rural and island communities -  as in Argyll, perhaps hardest of all.