What do strike-threat unions actually want?

WITH just days to go until Cop26 kicks off, we answer key questions on who is threatening to go on strike and why.

TRANSPORT

Who is threatening to strike? ScotRail workers represented by the RMT union have warned they will walk out from November 1 unless their demands are met.

Why are they striking?

Union bosses are concerned about a condition attached to a pay offer. The RMT claims it could lead to job losses.

Is there an offer on the table?

Yes, and it will remain there until 5pm today. Unless union bosses back down, RMT members will stage a strike from Monday. This could bring chaos to the railways, with a raft of cancellations and a hugely reduced number of services.

SERVICES

Who is threatening to strike?

Around 1,500 Glasgow City Council staff in cleansing, refuse, school catering and janitorial work. They are represented by a joint trade union group including Unite, Unison and the GMB.

Why?

Unions are seeking a £2,000 rise from local authority umbrella body Cosla.

Is there an offer on the table? Yes. Cosla has offered an £850 flat-rate rise for the lowest-paid staff and a 2 per cent increase for those paid less than £40,000 a year. But Unite has claimed that the ‘professionalism and sacrifice’ of local government workers has ‘not been recognised’.

What does this mean?

The action is being ‘targeted’ to take place during the second week of Cop26. There are already fears over growing piles of rubbish on the streets and warnings about rat infestations. A strike would be seen as catastrophic for city chiefs and government.