NEARLY 2,000 workers at Scottish Water are set to strike at the end of the month as its long-running pay dispute escalates.

Both Unite and Unison have served notice on the Scottish government-owned company for a two-day stoppage from April 22.

Fresh from a one-day strike on March 28, workers continue to reject the company offer of 2.6 per cent or £1,050, whichever is greater, amid eye-watering handouts to the company’s executive team including £329,000 in bonuses and benefits in 2023/24.

Unite industrial officer Sam Ritchie said: “Unite has now served industrial action notice to Scottish Water after the failure to reach agreement on pay.

“The action is likely to cause major disruption across Scotland, but the blame for that lies squarely with the executive team at Scottish Water.”

Unison Scotland regional organiser Emma Phillips added: “Staff have suffered a decade of pay deals which haven’t kept up with inflation.

“They’re fed up with being underpaid and Scottish Water senior managers must start to see sense.”

A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “We are very disappointed that we have still not been able to reach an agreement with the trade unions.”