A SUMMER OF DISCONTENT

'Insulting' 2 per cent pay offer for council set to bring chaos staff

- PAUL HUTCHEON

SCOTS are facing a summer of strikes as councils are poised to offer hundreds of thousands of staff a "risible" 2 per cent pay rise.

Schools, leisure centres and libraries could shut over an offer that is below the inflation rate.

Scottish ministers, who stand accused of cutting council funding to the bone, have been urged to cough up more money to avert industrial action.

STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said: "While it will be a matter for Unite, GMB and Unison to consider, it's risible if not downright insulting that workers are here, yet again, trying to fight for a decent offer to be put on the table.

"You cannot continue to play politics with people's jobs and livelihoods and not expect workers to take action to defend themselves."

Council umbrella group Cosla will this week table a formal pay offer for local government workers.

We previously reported some councils had budgeted for a 3 per cent increase, but it is understood the Cosla recommendation is for 2 per cent.

A senior insider at one town hall said the final decision will be made by council leaders at a crunch meeting tomorrow.