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The Leaders of the seven authorities said that although it would not be easy, they would be able to find the money to agree deals broadly similar to those accepted in eleven authorities to date and urged the unions to come forward for local talks.

Councillor Frank Russell, Chair of the Employers Side of the Scottish Joint Council also pointed out this dispute is not and never has been about national pay bargaining and that in common with all other staff in local government - nursery nurses were awarded 4 per cent last April and will be awarded an increase following the national pay bargaining this April this demand for a rise of up to 38 per cent is in addition to all of that.

Councillor Russell said: "This statement from key council leaders shows the determination in all Councils to end this dispute and we would encourage UNISON to respond in a positive manner. There is and always has been a way to settle this dispute and it is UNISON who are preventing local settlements." Councillor Russell concluded: "Although it will not be easy all Scotland's councils will be able to find the money to allow them to sit down and thrash out a deal locally with UNISON. It has happened in eleven councils already and it is the only way forward. The eleven that have settled point the only way forward for UNISON.

   "We in local government are anxious to ensure that the service returns to normal as quickly as possible. For UNISON to hold out for a National Settlement is bad advice from the centre - it will not happen.

"Instead we see all council leaders calling on UNISON to enter into local discussions with their council in an attempt to settle. We would urge UNISON in the strongest terms possible to take this opportunity it is the only way forward." ends NOTES TO EDITORS Aberdeenshire Council became the eleventh council to settle on Friday (March 19th) - Joining:

Aberdeen

Clackmannanshire

Dumfries and Galloway

East Renfrewshire

Falkirk

Highland

Perth

Shetland

South Lanarkshire

Stirling

22 March 2004