FORMAL notice has been served by the GMB that councils in Scotland could face a wave of winter strikes, starting in Glasgow during the Cop26 summit next month.

Local authority body Cosla were given until Monday by the union to increase a pay offer, which was overwhelmingly rejected by cleansing staff last week, with confirmation of walkouts coming on that night. 

GMB said that an offer of an £850 wage increase for staff falls far short of the £2,000 pay claim that was submitted jointly by the trade unions GMB, Unison and Unite.

A week-long strike, starting on November 1 — the first day of the UN’s Cop26 conference — will now go ahead, with as many as 1,500 staff in refuse, cleansing, school janitorial and catering roles affected. 

Following the confirmation, GMB Glasgow said in a statement: “Further notices will be served on more councils later this week. If strike action is to be avoided, then a significantly improved offer must be brought forward to give our key workers proper value.”

Cosla was approached for comment.