COSLA has said that it is disappointed to note that our trade union colleagues have gone public with a threat of balloting for strike action, before all options have been explored, given the dire financial situation for Scotland’s Councils.

Commenting today (Friday) COSLA Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann said:  “For the last two Thursdays, we believed we had positive meetings with our SJC Trade Union colleagues to discuss this year’s pay offer for the Scottish Local Government Workforce.

“We had another useful meeting only yesterday, so it is disappointing that they have chosen to go public today, before all options have been explored.

“Learning from the last few years, we are keen to maintain a dialogue with our SJC Trade Unions partners, whilst we explore all avenues.  We are close to making an offer, based on the mandate given to me by Council Leaders.  Another meeting is being scheduled as soon as possible and we are doing all that we can to get an offer on the table. It is important to reiterate that this is against the context of a flat cash settlement from Scottish Government, which leaves very little room to manoeuvre without service reductions and job losses which we want to avoid at all costs.”