Strikes are set to take place among schools and waste services in the constituency of First Minister John Swinney with UNISON preparing for days they will walk out.

UNISON, who are the largest union in local government, say they have a mandate to strike in both areas in Perth and Kinross as well as other local authority areas across the country. It’s a double blow for the First Minister’s constituency, though, with both schools and waste and recycling workers to walk out.

That’s the only one of the areas that they say they have a mandate for both. They say strike action will take place among waste and recycling workers at 13 councils, and education and early years staff at five councils.

The 13 who will walk out over the pay offer for waste services and street cleaning are Clackmannanshire Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council, East Ayrshire Council, East Lothian Council, Fife Council, Glasgow City Council, Inverclyde Council, Midlothian Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Perth & Kinross Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Stirling Council and West Lothian Council.

Shetland, Orkney, East Renfrewshire, and Angus join Perth and Kinross as an area where teachers and early years staff are expected to take industrial action.

The union say council workers in Scotland are angry that their pay offer isn’t in line with other public service workers, many of who have been offered 5.5 percent pay rise.

Read More: 

The announcement comes after more than nine in 10 school and early-years workers rejected their pay off, with thousands balloted and backing strike action.

UNISON Scotland local government committee chair Colette Hunter said: “Focusing on the First Minister’s constituency will bring home to him the importance of settling this dispute as schools close and rubbish piles up in the streets.

“Local government staff are angry that after years of pay cuts, they’re not getting a pay rise comparable to other public service workers.

“They’re expected to deliver even more with fewer staff and lower wages, but that puts workers under intolerable pressure. It’s unsustainable and can’t go on”.

UNISON Scotland local government lead David O’Connor said: “Going on strike is never an easy decision, as council staff are acutely aware of the disruption it causes. They’re asking why they have to do this every year.

“There’s a high bar to reach the legal threshold imposed by union laws, so not all councils achieve the mandate required.

“However, the anger is palpable. Thousands have rejected Cosla’s pay offer, with an overwhelming majority (92%) of those who voted agreeing to strike.

“The First Minister’s constituency will be the initial target, ensuring he cannot overlook the real anger among staff regarding this inadequate pay offer.”