City workers to rally round during nationwide walk-out

A MASS rally is set to be staged in Edinburgh city centre next week as part of a nationwide walk-out by council workers.

The next round of action in the ongoing pay dispute is scheduled for Wednesday, and is again likely to cripple schools, community centres, council offices and bin collections across the Capital.

Plans are also in place for further action from specific workforces the following week, if no breakthrough is reached.

City finance leader Gordon Mackenzie described the action as "very disappointing", but said the council aims to ensure "life and limb" services are kept intact.

Around 150,000 members of Unison, Unite and the GMB across Scotland took part in a walk-out last month in protest at a below-inflation offer of 2.5 per cent.

For next Wednesday's day of action, Unison – Scotland's largest council staff union – has arranged a demonstration and rally in Princes Street Gardens, starting at 12.30pm.

Union leaders said workers were unhappy with their pay offer, which was originally 2.5 per cent every year for three years.

The umbrella body for Scottish councils, Cosla, later came back with a 2.5 per cent one-year offer.

Tracey Dalling, Unison's regional organiser, said: "If employers thought that promising to reconsider their pay offer and then refusing to deliver was a clever tactic, then this next action will show them the error of their ways.

"Whether this was a piece of sleight-of-hand or the inability of the employers' reps to agree a new offer, it has backfired badly. All the reports indicate that this has made members much angrier.

"In the event that it becomes needed, we now have authorisation for further action after September 24. We hope that the employers will make sure we don't need to take that action."

Cllr Mackenzie said: "The fact that more strike action is anticipated is very disappointing.

"But we have to hope that there is a realistic and fair outcome from negotiations."

In West Lothian, bin collections will be cancelled, but most schools and care homes should remain open. However, social work centres will be closed and no funeral bookings will be taken.

HOW WILL THE STRIKE AFFECT YOU?

COUNCIL offices, buildings and cultural venues: some council buildings may be closed. Check in advance before travelling.

• Schools, nurseries, community, child and family centres: all facilities and school crossing guide services may be affected. Full information will be available on the council website or telephone [phone].

• Adult education classes: all adult education classes that were due to take place on Wednesday are cancelled.

• Health and social care services (adults) and social work services for children: vulnerable clients have been prioritised. If you are aware of an adult or a child at risk, telephone [phone]. All current day service users should check with their service before attending. No adult lunch clubs will be operated by school kitchens.

• Housing: homeless people or those in need of emergency accommodation should telephone [phone]. Council tenants needing emergency repairs should telephone [phone].

• Refuse collection: households with scheduled Wednesday collections should put out their bin as normal. If your bin is not emptied, put it out again the following Wednesday.