Strike action more likely as GMB joins Unite in ballot rejection of Cosla pay offer

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.