COUNCIL chiefs in Argyll and Bute say they’re keen to see negotiations continue after a union announced a ballot on strike action among waste workers.

Unite announced on Wednesday, May 29 that it has served industrial action notices to 29 councils, including Argyll and Bute, in a dispute over pay.

Members will have from Wednesday, June 5 until Monday, July 1 to vote on potential action, which could begin from July, with the union warning that if strikes do go ahead they could have a big impact on some of Scotland’s biggest summer events.

Major events due to take place in Argyll and Bute in July include the Highland Games at Luss and Inveraray, the Tiree Music Festival, and ButeFest.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members undertake vital frontline jobs. Despite the essential work they do, they have seen their pay eroded for years, they are simply no longer prepared to tolerate this situation.

“COSLA [the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities] and the Scottish Government have been warned that they must do far more to meet the pay aspirations of our members. The blame for any strike action taking place will lie at their doors.”

“We will back our members all the way in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions in local government.”

Unite last week confirmed that its local government representatives had rejected outright a formal pay offer from COSLA, branding it an attempt to “kick the can down the road”.

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

Clackmannanshire, East Lothian and Orkney are the only three councils not involved in Unite’s ballot process.

Graham McNab, Unite industrial officer, said: “Unite has now served industrial action notices to nearly every council in Scotland.

“If the ballots are successful, then our members in cleansing and waste services could begin strike action from July. Any action could impact on major summer events.”

“Let’s be clear that COSLA and the Scottish Government must come back to us with a significantly revised pay offer, if they do not, then our members will have no option but to take action.”

An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: “We value the work carried out by waste services, and are keen to see negotiations continue with the trade unions as a constructive route to address concerns.”

A spokesperson for COSLA said: “We believe that this is a strong, fair and credible offer which reflects the high value council leaders place on the local government workforce and the invaluable work they do every day to serve our communities.”