Almost 200,000 council workers in Scotland are staging a 24-hour walkout over a pay dispute, causing disruptions to local services such as schools, rubbish collection and ferry crossings. The council workers - members of the GMB, Unite and Unison unions – are due to take part in the strike after they rejected a 2.5 percent deal over the next three years.

Local government group Cosla, said that councils could not afford to increase the pay offer. Scottish ministers have urged both sides to resolve the dispute.

Industrial action will take place across the country; however the level of disruption differs in council areas. Many schools, libraries and day care centres will be closed, along with disruptions to school buses, school dinners and meals on wheels vans.

Caledonian MacBrayne, the ferry operator, said it would cancel sailings from Rothesay and Dunoon piers, due to action by Argyll and Bute council workers.

David Prentis, general secretary of Unison, which represents around 100,000 workers, said he hopes the public would understand the concerns.

He said: “Our members are taking this action very reluctantly. They care deeply about the vital services they provide and those who depend on them and we apologise for any disruption.

“However, members feel they have no choice when the employers’ offer is effectively a pay cut.”

Council headquarters will be picketed, and Union members will also distribute leaflets to commuters at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, along with a rally that is due to start at 12.15 BST today (20/08/08) in Glasgow’s George Square.

Michael Cook, Cosla spokesman for the Scottish Employers, said councils were disappointed by the strike action, and had attempted to minimise disruption.

He said: “The issues are difficult and complex and need to be carefully thought through.

“However, as soon as possible, we will arrange talks with the trade unions in a bid to reach a settlement which takes account of the soaring cost of living which affects councils just as much as our workers.”

Finance Secretary John Swinney, said: “I would encourage both parties to try to resolve the dispute to ensure that there is no further interruption to public services and I hope that resolution can be achieved by local authorities and their employees.”

Mr Swinney’s comments came after unions last week called on the Scottish government to intervene and provide “adequate funding” to local authority employers to address low pay.

A second strike by government civil servants with the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union was also due to take place on the same day, following a similar strike last month.

The dispute revolves around a 2 percent pay increase, which its members say amounts to a pay cut while inflation rises above 5 percent.