EDUCATION workers facing pay cuts by 10 Scottish councils have voted to strike, their union has confirmed.

Unite members in Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Western Isles, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Fife, Glasgow, Inverclyde and Orkney are battling simply for their wages to retain their real-terms value.

The ballot result comes just a week after GMB local government members voted for strike action and means that thousands of workers, including caretakers, cleaners, caterers, classroom assistants and administration workers have resolved to stage targeted strikes in the new school term.

The pay offer from Cosla, which represents Scottish local authorities, is claimed to amount to an average of 5.5 per cent.

But with the retail price index rate of inflation, which includes housing costs, running at 10.7 per cent, workers point out that this means a pay cut.

In a statement responding to the strike ballot result, the SNP-Green Scottish government said: “Local government pay negotiations are a matter for local authorities as employers and unions.”

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

But Unite general secretary Sharon Graham demanded intervention to defend the wages of essential workers.

Ms Graham said: “The message for both the Scottish government and Cosla is loud and clear.

“Thousands of our members have voted to take strike action in education and early years services because they won’t accept a real-terms pay cut.

“Our members deserve far more than 5 per cent being served up by the politicians.

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

A Cosla spokesman said that council leaders have made a strong offer to the workforce, “which clearly illustrates the value councils place on their workforce, and it compares well to other sectors.”

“It recognises the cost-of-living pressures on our workforce and, critically, it seeks to protect jobs and services,” he said.

“It is an offer which recognises both the vital role of the people who deliver our essential services across councils every day and the value that we, as employers, place on them.”