Council leaders in Scotland have made what they say is a “best and final” offer to trade unions in a bid to avert strike action by school support staff next week.
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) said the “significantly improved in-year offer” will mean workers on the Scottish local government living wage will see an in-year uplift of around £2,000, or almost 10%.
School staff including cleaners and janitors are due to walk out for three days from Tuesday in the dispute over pay.
An extra £90 million has been found for the latest offer, including the £10 million previously allocated by leaders in the deal offered to unions on September 13.
Cosla said the new offer is made on condition that the unions take it to their members for full consideration and that strikes are suspended with immediate effect whilst they do so.
Its resources spokeswoman Katie Hagmann said: “This really is our best and final offer, we have nowhere to go after this.
“We have gone beyond our limits in a bid to satisfy our workforce and avert next week’s strikes.”
Unions have warned more than three-quarters of schools will close if the strike goes ahead, affecting 26 of Scotland’s 32 council areas.
