THE THREAT of binmen, schools cleaners and cooks across Fife going on strike has been averted after staff accepted an improved pay offer.

Local government unions had issued notices of industrial action to local authorities across Scotland, including Fife Council, over a pay dispute.

But Unite said its local government workers had accepted an improved pay offer while sending a "warning shot"’ to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Scottish Government (COSLA).

The trade union had postponed its industrial action to consult members over the new offer, which will now ensure a significant wage increase.

The wage deal ensures an increase for the lowest-paid workers in Fife of 5.8 per cent, helping to address poverty pay in local government, and a minimum rate of £9.78 per hour.

It also includes a flat rate payment of £850 based on a 37-hour working week for those earning up to £25,000, and a commitment to discuss the costs of professional fees including the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) registration fee outside of the settlement.

Care workers must be registered with the SSSC to carry out their job but, in recent years, councils have passed the cost of the registration on to low-paid carers, who are predominantly female. Registration can cost between £25 and £80, depending on the role.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The deal for local government workers across Scotland will ensure that the lowest-paid will get a significant increase in their pay of 5.8 per cent.

"Unite’s members were prepared to fight for a fair wage deal which addresses poverty pay in local government and this deal goes some way in that fight for justice.”

The Joint Trade Unions had said they had, between them, mandates to take action in half of Scotland’s local authority areas.

And they had notified COSLA that they were to be "calling out" those employed in school-cleaning, school catering, school janitorial, waste, recycling and fleet maintenance services on November 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and warned that this could be the start of an "escalating period of action" if the employers did not change their position.

Wendy Dunsmore, Unite regional officer added: “Unite’s members have accepted this deal, however, pay increases are not a one-year wonder. We will keep the pressure on COSLA and the Scottish Government to improve the standards of living for all local authorities’ workers.

“Unite’s campaign for 2022 starts now and we will not tolerate the nonsense of waiting months at a time for offers.

"This should be a warning shot to both COSLA and the Scottish Government that for too long there has been a reliance on local government workers putting up with little or no pay rises, and this has to stop.”