South Lanarkshire schools to close for three days after union rejects "final offer" from COSLA

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Schools across South Lanarkshire are set to shut down next week after one of the country’s largest unions recommended rejecting a “final offer” of a pay increase for staff in a bid to avert action.

Unison has turned down COSLA’s proposed deal which was made on the condition that the union took it to members and suspended strikes with immediate effect.The deal would see pay backdated with a seven per cent rise to April after the local authority governing body found another £80m - described by COSLA as a “significantly enhanced offer”.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android But the unions recommended members turn it down - paving the way for strikes to start on September 26.Unison, alongside colleagues from Unite and the GMB, granted an extension for a new offer to Thursday afternoon.

Janitors, cleaners, caterers, classroom assistants and administrative staff are due to walk out.COSLA resources spokesperson, councillor Katie Hagmann, said the body had “nowhere to go after this” when the deal was tabled on Thursday.A total of 26 of Scotland’s 32 councils are set to see disruption.