Strike by water firm staff ends

The industrial action started at noon on Thursday

A 24-hour walkout by hundreds of Scottish Water employees has ended.

The industrial action, which started at noon on Thursday, was staged following a dispute over pay levels.

It involved members of the Unite, GMB and Unison unions and saw pickets set up outside several of the utility company's offices and depots.

The company said it had made a pay award within public sector guidelines. But unions said it represented a pay cut because of the rate of inflation.

'High level'

Unite's regional industrial organiser, Scott Foley, said the strike had sent a strong message that union members were unhappy.

He said: "Our members are serious about getting a fair pay deal and are prepared to take further industrial action if necessary, in pursuit of that aim.

"We will be seeking high level meetings with Scottish Water and want them to come back to the negotiating table with an improved offer.

"Unless there is a marked improvement to the original offer then it is likely that the action will escalate."

Scottish Water's customer service delivery director, Peter Farrer, said staff had been given the best pay deal possible.

He said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank the two-thirds of our staff who stayed at work during the last 24 hours' industrial action. Our contingency plans worked well."

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