WORKERS across Scotland are ready for a new wave of strike action with councils having “learned nothing” amid stalled pay talks, Unison warned today.

Scottish local government’s largest union accused employers at the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) of ignoring their latest pay claim.

The union, which represents more than 85,000 council workers across Scotland, submitted a pay claim in January that would see a 7 per cent increase in pay scales — an above inflation increase that could accelerate progress toward the £15 per hour minimum council wage agreed in last year’s deal, to be met by 2026.

However, after four months without a Cosla response, workers have entered the new financial year without any pay rise at all.

Unison Scotland local government chairwoman Colette Hunter warned: “It would appear that Cosla has learned nothing from last year’s pay dispute which resulted in school closures across Scotland.

“The last thing anyone wants to do is take strike action, but if Cosla continue to ignore our pay claim then we may be left with no choice.

“While strike action is always a last resort, our local government committee is currently considering all options and preparations for strike action could begin as early as next week.”

Unison local government organiser David O’Connor added: “Cosla has to understand the growing anger among local government workers over how they are treated year after year in pay negotiations.

“It is no wonder local government workers are left feeling disappointed and frustrated when their employers haven’t even bothered to respond to the pay claim.

“Without investment in the local government workforce there will be no public services.”

A Cosla statement said: “Council leaders will meet this Friday to consider a report on the SJC pay claims for 2024/25.”