‘Services will descend into chaos unless SNP gives workers fair deal’

LOCAL services could be plunged into chaos by strikes unless the Scottish Government gives public sector workers a pay rise, union chiefs have warned.

SNP ministers held crunch talks with council chiefs yesterday after a ‘paltry’ 2 per cent pay increase for staff was rejected by GMB Scotland.

Union boss Keir Greenaway said council workers were being dragged into poverty by the soaring rate of inflation and only a ‘significantly improved’ pay deal would avert industrial action.

GMB Scotland said school and nursery staff, bin men and street cleaners are set to strike unless the dispute is resolved.

Pay settlements for council workers – apart from teachers – are the responsibility of Cosla, although the local authority umbrella body is entirely dependent on the Scottish Government for funding.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney last week begged the UK Government for more money to offer larger pay rises, but Mr Greenaway insisted SNP ministers have powers to provide additional cash.

ahead of yesterday’s negotiations, the trade union organiser said: ‘our political leaders have left key workers at the mercy of soaring inflation and eyewatering energy bills for nearly six months, and as we head into a grim winter this crisis will become a catastrophe for our members unless the Government acts now.’

Coming out of the talks, Mr Swinney failed to say whether Cosla would receive more money from the Government. He said: ‘I would urge all parties to continue a dialogue and reach a resolution.’

Meanwhile, oil refinery workers are threatening wildcat strikes that could disrupt the supply of petrol and diesel.

Staff at the Grangemouth plant in Stirlingshire agreed a 5 per cent pay rise last year, to be spread over two years.

But with double-digit inflation, workers are demanding owner Petroineos reopens talks. Sources at the site said around 500 staff will down tools on every second Wednesday, starting next week, until negotiations take place.