City workers walk out over salary row

Published on Monday 2 June 2008 10:42

AROUND 170 council workers in Edinburgh were today expected to stage a one-day walkout in a row over pay.

Craft workers employed by local authorities across Scotland agreed to the strike, and the various unions involved warned that this was likely to be only the first of a series of 24-hour strikes over pay and conditions.

The workers include plumbers, gas fitters, electricians and lift engineers. The Unite union said the workers were "angry" over their long hours when compared to other council employees.

They have also rejected a 2.45 per cent pay offer.

National union official John Allott said: "Our members have been treated with contempt by Scottish local government employers by offering workers a below-inflation pay rise and the refusal to grant craft workers a 37-hour week."

The council have said arrangements have been out in place to minimise the impact the strike will have on council services.