COUNCIL services in Helensburgh and Lomond are set to face significant disruption as workers take strike action as part of a row over pay.

Trade unions representing staff at Argyll and Bute Council - and 16 other local authorities across Scotland - have notified local government body Cosla that they will take industrial action over the period November 8 to 12.

The strike comes during the period of the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, with the area one of those that will be hit by the action.

Refuse and recycling workers will be out on strike, along with school cleaners, janitors and catering staff.

Johanna Baxter, head of local government for the Unison union in Scotland, said: “It is the combined failure of both Cosla and the Scottish Government to reward these key workers that has led to the situation where we have now been forced to issue notice of targeted strike action.”

The Scottish Government is now being urged to intervene in a bid to resolve the dispute – with the unions warning they could escalate their action if councillors fail to increase their pay offer.

Letters have been sent to Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, as well as Local Government Secretary Shona Robison and Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, calling on them to act.

Ms Baxter said: “Our members are at breaking point and are worth more than what is on offer – it is deeply regrettable that they should have to withdraw their labour for the employer to recognise their worth.

“Over 55 per cent of local government workers earn below £25,000 per year, and the vast majority have received no reward at all for their efforts during the Covid pandemic.

"The current offer does not even bring the lowest paid local government workers up to £10 per hour.”

Unite union industrial officer Wendy Dunsmore said members will be taking “targeted strike action due to the abject failure by Cosla and the Scottish Government to pay workers a fair and decent wage”.

She added: “The incredible professionalism and sacrifice by local government workers has not been recognised during the Covid-19 pandemic, and Unite’s members will no longer tolerate being treated as the poor relation in our public services.

“School cleaners, caterers and janitors, alongside fleet maintenance, waste and refuse workers are saying enough is enough.

“Let’s be clear that this situation has arisen because Cosla and the Scottish Government are forcing local government workers into taking industrial action due to their derisory pay offer.

“Both have a duty to get back around the negotiating table with a new offer or industrial unrest is imminent.”

Strikes are currently scheduled to take place in the Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow City, Moray, North Lanarkshire, Orkney, South Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian council areas.

A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council said: "We maintain good working relationships and have ongoing dialogue with our trade union colleagues, and continue to monitor current matters closely."