Cleansing and waste staff at all three Ayrshire councils have voted in favour of strike action over pay, it was revealed today.

Unite, Scotland’s largest union, said they now had a mandate for their members taking action in cleansing and waste services across half of Scottish councils in a dispute over pay. 

A majority of Unite's East, North and South Ayrshire waste workers, street cleaners, and recycling centre operators gave their backing for a strike, along with those from 13 other local authorities in Scotland.

In the coming days, Unite will reveal the details of strike action, which could begin in just over two weeks’ time.

The union had previously warned major events could potentially be impacted by strike action including the Edinburgh international and fringe festivals similar to the local government pay dispute two years ago. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “After years of cuts to council pay and services, years of chronic underfunding and understaffing, our membership is saying no more. Enough. They have Unite’s unequivocal support in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions across Scottish local government.” 

In May, Unite confirmed that its local government representatives had rejected outright a formal pay offer from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities’ (COSLA).

The offer comprises 2.2 per cent effective from 1 April to 30 September, and then two per cent for a 12 month period effective from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025.

Unite rejected the offer, and the proposal to change the pay anniversary date from April to October on the basis that it was nothing but an attempt to “kick the can down the road.” 

Graham McNab, Unite industrial officer added: “Thousands of workers in cleansing and waste services are now on the brink of taking strike action in a matter of weeks. Our members are being left with no choice but to fight for fair pay.” 

“Council workers deserve to be treated with respect but instead they received a pitiful pay offer which was rejected outright by Unite.

"This situation is entirely in the hands of COSLA and the Scottish government who can resolve this dispute at any moment by making a significantly improved pay offer.” 

East Ayrshire is one of 13 council areas in Scotland where waste and recycling workers affiliated with the GMB union have also voted in favour of industrial action.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Local government pay negotiations are a matter for local authorities as employers and unions – the Scottish Government has no formal role.

“The Scottish Government urges all parties involved to work together constructively and reach an agreement which is fair for the workforce and affordable for employers.”