Edinburgh bin strikes: Strikes suspended as unions recommend pay rise offer be accepted

GMB and Unite have joined Unison in suspending strike action, saying they will put a new pay offer to members.

Members in waste services and non-teaching roles in education were due to walk out next week but marathon talks chaired by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon resulted in an offer that could end the risk of strikes.

Both unions have also recommended the offer be accepted by members.

Wendy Dunsmore, Unite's lead negotiator for local government, said: "After the latest round of intensive talks, a new credible offer has finally been put on the table by Cosla. Unite wants to acknowledge the First Minister's direct involvement as a primary reason for the breakthrough.

"The offer on the table is fully consolidated and as such there will be more cash in the pot going forward for local government workers. It provides a degree of security for the lowest paid, with a flat rate offer of £2,000, which is an uplift worth around 10 to 11%

"We now have a credible offer which our local government representatives can recommend to the membership for acceptance."