Scottish waste workers vote on strike call | MRW

This followed rejection of a pay offer from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) of a 2.2% increase for the first six months and an additional 2% for the subsequent 12 months September 2025.

A consultation earlier this month saw 91% of Unison members reject the pay proposal.

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.” Cosla has been contacted for comment.

The Unite trade union has already balloted members for strike action at Scottish councils and is counting the results of a vote that closed on Monday (1 July) with results due this week.

Waste services workers in the GMB union have already voted for industrial action at Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Fife, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Aberdeenshire, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, and Stirling.

Meanwhile the pay offer made for council staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is subject to a consultative ballot of members by Unite, which has recommended rejection.

The offer is a £1,290 flat rate, plus 2.5% on allowances, while unions asked for a rise of £3,000 or 10%, whichever is great.

Unison said it was reviewing the results of a consultative ballot while the GMB ballot closes on Friday.