MORE than a dozen councils across Scotland, including East Lothian, have been notified by UNISON of intention to strike later this month.

Waste, refuse and street cleaning staff will walk out over nine days between August 14 and 22.

That comes after they rejected a 3.2 per cent pay offer from CoSLA, the local government employer organisation.

The pay dispute affects all council staff.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for East Lothian Council said that they were still waiting on further information.

They said: “We have received notification from UNISON that they intend to call their members out on strike action from 5am on Wednesday, August 14, until 4.59am on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

“We are currently assessing likely impacts on our services and will update communities as soon as we can."

Colette Hunter, UNISON Scotland local government chair, described strikes as “always the last resort”.

She said: “But local government staff have seen the value of their wages reduced by a quarter over the past 14 years. 

"They’re simply asking for a pay deal that recognises the essential services they deliver and starts to address years of below-inflation pay settlements.

"CoSLA and the Scottish Government must understand the anger among council staff.

“They are resolute and strikes will go ahead unless a solution can be found."

Meanwhile, David O’Connor, UNISON Scotland local government lead, described talks held with the Scottish Government this week as “positive”.

He added: “The Cabinet Secretary says he understands that additional funding from Government is necessary and has committed to work towards that.

"UNISON has been trying to get pay resolved since the beginning of the year and these Government talks come too late to prevent strike notices being served. 

“But at least we're forcing employers and Government to focus on trying to find a settlement."

The announcement came at the same time as fellow union GMB Scotland confirmed bin strikes would begin within a matter of weeks.

However, while that industrial action by members in waste and recycling will impact upon areas including Edinburgh and Glasgow, it does not involve East Lothian Council.