Thousands of school staff across Scotland could walk out on strike later this year in a dispute with councils over pay.
The GMB Scotland union will ask more than 8,000 council staff working in schools and nurseries if they are willing to take industrial action after accusing local authorities of failing to improve on a rejected pay offer.
The union claims local authorities’ body Cosla refused to revise the offered 5.5 per cent increase, which was rejected by 94 per cent of its members.
The ballot will begin on 12 June and run until the end of July, with any industrial action supported by GMB members working in schools and early years education taking place in the new term.
The trade union said the 5.5 per cent offer is “clearly unacceptable” at a time when food prices are rising fast.
Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser for public services, said: “Given Cosla is unwilling or unable to offer a fair pay rise or ask ministers to intervene, we have been left with no choice but to ask our members if they are willing to take industrial action in support of our claim.
“They are suffering through an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis but have been offered a rise that is less than last year, despite the cost of living being even higher, and less than is being offered to council workers in England and Wales.”
Mr Greenaway added: “It is absolutely no surprise workers, who are doing some of the most important jobs in Scotland, are unwilling to accept what is effectively a pay cut. Sadly, it is equally unsurprising that Cosla is unwilling to revise its offer or ask for government support.
“That intransigence means we have no option but to ballot our members on industrial action.”
A Cosla spokesperson said council leaders had made “a strong offer” to workers that compares well to other sectors.
They added: “While the offer value in year is 5.5 per cent, the average uplift on salaries going into the next financial year is 7 per cent.
“Those on the Scottish local government living wage would get 9.12 per cent and those at higher grades, where councils are experiencing severe recruitment challenges, would see 6.05 per cent.
“It is an offer which recognises both the vital role of the people who deliver our essential services across councils every day and the value that we, as employers, place on them.
“Crucially, it also raises the Scottish local government living wage by 99p to £11.84 per hour, and sets out a commitment to work with our trade unions to develop a road map to £15 per hour in a way that protects our workforce and services we deliver.”
In March, the teacher pay dispute in Scotland was resolved after a series of strikes over several months.
