Glasgow could be hit with strikes again as staff are set to vote on industrial action after a union's claim of "broken promises" in a £500 million equal pay dispute
Unite, alongside other trade unions, has accused Glasgow City Council of reneging on previous commitments given to claimants, and is demanding the authority make payments to staff immediately.
If the strike gets backing, workers could form picket lines outside council buildings from the end of March.
Unite members being balloted include clerical and administrative workers, caterers, home carers, cleaners, janitors, car park attendants and education service workers.
Wendy Dunsmore, industrial officer at the union, said the council's "broken promises to claimants, who are predominantly female, are disgraceful".
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The authority part-settled with thousands of women at a cost of £505 million in 2019.
The delays are being blamed on a new pay and grading system which will not be fully implemented until 2024.
But the union said, despite progress being made, around 5,000 claimants have had no settlement for the period up to March 2018, and around 18,000 are still waiting for a settlement for the period after March 2018.
Unite along with the other trade unions representing the claimants are demanding that the council make the payments now.
Sharon Graham said: “It’s a scandal that thousands of workers are still awaiting cash that should have been in their pockets months ago. Instead, the claimants continue to face unnecessary delays in getting what is owed to them.
"Let’s remember that this situation was entirely of Glasgow City Council’s making through an unfair and discriminatory pay grade system. Unite’s members have the full support of their union in challenging the Council to get the cash they are owed without any further delay.”
Wendy Dunsmore, Unite industrial officer, added: "Glasgow City Council’s broken promises over the payments to claimants, who are predominantly female, is disgraceful.
"Thousands of claimants are being told that they may have to wait several years before they get their settlements. Many received an interim payment up to 2018 and they should so again.
"It’s an unacceptable situation and that’s why we are holding a ballot for industrial action. Many of these workers don’t have the time to wait months and years for their money. There is a cost of living crisis with inflation soaring. Choices are literally being made every day by families over the cost of fuel, energy and living.”
A council spokesman told PA: "We are following the process agreed with unions at the time of the 2019 deal.
"We have made it clear we are ready to make offers on new claims - and are committed to discussing the gap period thereafter."
Glasgow city council has been contacted for comment.
