A UNION has raised concerns the return to school will be disrupted after the summer holidays as it continues a pay dispute on behalf of members.

The Glasgow Times told in April how GMB Scotland had launched a fight for a pay increase for what it dubbed the city's "invisible army".

It is calling on private contractor Amey to boost the pay of school janitors and cleaners who have continued to work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

But talks have stalled and GMB bosses have announced a consultative ballot will now go ahead.

Stuart Henderson, a janitor and GMB rep, said: "The interests of school children are foremost in our mind but make no mistake about it - we shall not hesitate to act if Amey does not listen.

"A tenner an hour for our cleaners or 4% for our janitors is the least we deserve after all we did to keep the schools going during covid.

"Our members are furious at being treated as second class citizens and have had enough."

GMB Scotland is asking that cleaners receive an uplift to a minimum of £10 per hour and a uplift of at least 4% for other grades.

Amey in response offered 1.5% and the Scottish Living Wage of £9.50 a hour.

GMB Scotland, on behalf of cleaners, cleaning supervisors and janitors managed under PFI arrangements by Amey, said it is angered at a pay deal it claims is less than half offered to janitors and cleaners employed by local authorities.

GMB Assistant Organiser John Slaven said: "The Amey pay offer is an absolute disgrace.

"These workers have been the heroes of covid who have been in constantly during covid and yet the pay deal on offer is effectively a pay cut when inflation is considered.

"We are expected to accept an offer which is barely half that on offer to workers employed in Local Authorities.

"It is scandalous and once against exposes the failure of these PFI companies only interested in lining the pockets of their greedy shareholders at the expense of the public purse."

The Glasgow Times understands the GMB consultative ballot will run until the end of July.

If the response is to take action, GMB will proceed to a strike ballot with possible strike days planned for late August soon after schools return.

Glasgow City Council was approached for comment.

Amey was contacted for comment but was unable to provide a response before the Glasgow Times went to print last night.

The company operates the janitorial and cleaning services across Glasgow's 30 secondary schools, employing several hundred janitors and cleaners across the school estate.