The STUC has called for support for public sector workers taking industrial action in defence of living standards.
STUC Deputy General Secretary Dave Moxham said:
“We are of course saddened that local government intransigence and below inflation wage targets from central government have forced public sector workers into this action of last resort. However with a wage offer which is half the current level of inflation this action has become inevitable.
“The announcement yesterday of yet another rise in inflation proves beyond doubt that the inflationary pressures in the economy are down to a combination of the weaker pound, oil, commodity and food prices and nothing to do with wages. The Chancellor’s statements about a wage/price inflation spiral are so far wide of the mark that they simply add fuel to the fire.
“With ballots for industrial action underway in Scotland for council workers and Scottish Government civil servants, COSLA and the Scottish Government have a window of opportunity to prepare an offer which might avert similar action in Scotland.
“In particular action must be proposed which will protect the poorest paid in the public sector many of whom, under the current offer, would fall dangerously close to the minimum wage level.”
Scottish Government members of the Public and Commercial Services union will conclude their industrial action ballot on Friday 18th July.
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Result of the ballot for industrial action among Scottish local government members of GMB, UNISON and UNITE will be known at the end of July.