By Bill Heaney

Council workers are being balloted for strike action – a move which could see rubbish piling up in the streets this summer, the bin workers’ union has warned.

Unison, Scotland’s largest local government union, has confirmed that thousands of waste and recycling workers will consider action in their dispute over pay.

The union said the current offer from COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) to workers fell significantly short of what they deserved.

Earlier this year, 91 per cent of workers consulted voted to reject it.

Unison said staff were left “frustrated” following the two part deal that would see them receive a 2.2% increase for the first six months and an extra 2% for the next 12 months.

Cleansing workers will stage a mass walkout in August if the action goes ahead.

​“Striking is always a last resort, but workers deserve to be paid wages reflecting their essential roles. They’re determined to achieve just that.”

The industrial action ballot will continue until Wednesday, July 17.

COSLA, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, nd the Scottish Government have been approached for comment.

West Dunbartonshire’s Labourcontrolled Council have refused to comment, which usually means they haven’t got a satisfactory response to what they are being asked bout.

This is happening at a time when brown bin collection charges are about to be withdrawn and new legislation has been passed in the Scottish Parliament to fine people who consign items to the wrong bin.

Although it’s a council matter, this is something that has been raised with General Election candidates by angry residents on the doorstep and features incessantly on the council complaints column on social media.

The election will take place next Thursday, July 4.