Unite the union has confirmed that its local government craft membership has voted to reject the COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) pay offer by 69%, and, of those, 90% voted for industrial action.

The craft agreement covers trades persons including joiners, labourers, painters and electricians. The craft membership will now jointly meet with Unite's local government membership, who also voted to reject, to coordinate the next steps in the escalating pay dispute.


John Gillespie, the chair of Unite Scotland's construction committee said: "The emphatic result by our craft membership to reject the pay offer and also give clear support for industrial action must surely result in COSLA swiftly coming back to the negotiating table with a new offer.

"If they don't, then Unite's craft and local government membership will be moving forward to coordinate joint action.

"Ultimately, if this is not resolved by COSLA then it will mean widespread disruption across Scotland."

Steven Dillon, Unite regional co-ordinating officer, added: "I fully support the mandate from our craft membership as our workers and their families have suffered pay freezes and real terms cuts for far too long. Workers are not taking the decision lightly to move towards industrial action but the derisory offer by COSLA has left them with no choice but defend themselves and their families."