BINMEN in Glasgow have voted to take industrial action during COP26 amid a pay rise row with COSLA.

The cleansing workers have vowed to strike during the climate summit unless pay conditions are improved by the national employer. 

In a recent ballot carried out by the GMB, a majority of 96.9% of members voted in favour of striking in response to COSLA's latest pay offer.

The union rejected the association's £850 pay rise proposal for those earning up to £25,000 a year after 95% of staff balloted against the bid last month. 

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A statement from GMB reads: "In Glasgow, we have reached the legal threshold in our Industrial Action Ballot.

"96.9% voted in favour of Industrial Action in response to the latest pay offer from @COSLA.

"Unless there is an improved offer on Monday we will be taking action in Glasgow during COP26."

Chris Mitchell, who is the union's branch convener, added: "We were called Covid heroes and essential workers.

"This is when low-paid workers take a stand against COSLA and say enough is enough because these heores deserve a pay rise."

More than 100 world leaders and around 25,000 delegates are expected to arrive in the city on November 1.

COSLA said that "constructive" negotiations are ongoing with the union.

A spokesperson said: “We appreciate everything that Local Government workers have been doing, and continue to do, to support people and communities during the pandemic and as we begin to recover.

“We continue with ongoing constructive negotiations.”