Strike 'maximum disruption' vow

Unions say about 2,000 staff in the Borders will go on strike

Union leaders in southern Scotland have said they will seek to cause "maximum disruption" when council staff stage a strike over pay next week.

Workers on all of Scotland's councils will walk out on 20 August after rejecting a three-year 2.5% pay rise.

Unions expect about 6,000 staff in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders to take part in the action.

Local authority body Cosla has said it is still open to talks to try to avert the strike.

Members of the Unison, Unite and GMB rejected the pay offer.

Dumfries and Galloway Unite union organiser John Holroyd said staff felt they had no choice.

"Strike action is always a last resort," he said.

However, he said that without taking action council employees felt they faced three years of "austerity".

Share savings

"The intention is to cause maximum disruption," he said.

"Hopefully, if Cosla sees what can actually happen across Scotland on one day, they won't want it for two days.

"When we talk about maximum disruption - it is not at the expense of the most vulnerable in our society."

Unison branch secretary in the Borders, Karen Horsley, said she believed councils could find extra money for staff.

She said her members had helped to deliver millions of pounds in efficiency savings over the last year.

"They also have monies in unallocated reserves," she added.

"It is time for members to share in the savings that they have made."

Meanwhile, Unison members in the Borders have voted to reject a new package of pay scales.

Other unions are also carrying out ballots on the proposed "single status" agreement.

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