Council bosses prepared to talk to unions after 150,000 staff strike

Published on Wednesday 20 August 2008 18:39

COUNCIL bosses insisted they were still prepared to talk to unions after an estimated 150,000 local government workers today staged a one-day walkout over pay.

The walkout left schools closed in many areas, rubbish uncollected, ferry services disrupted, and other council facilities hit across the country.

Union leaders said 150,000 workers took part in the one-day strike over a pay offer of 2.5% for each of the next three years.

The offer, say unions, has been made "derisory" by the rising cost of living.

Michael Cook, spokesman for the local authority employers' group Cosla tonight said talks were essential.

"The only way to resolve this is by negotiation and once again I would urge the unions to meet us and to jointly reach a solution to the difficult situation that we all find ourselves in," he said.

But one union leader warned that the council employers had to come up with firm proposals.

Matt Smith, Scottish secretary of Unison, the main union involved, said some senior local authority figures appeared to have been "impressed" by backing for the strike and arguments about inflation.

"But they need to come back to the unions with clear proposals to address the impact of rising prices on our members," he said.

"If there is no movement, then we will have to look to further action in the future."

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