Waste collection and support worker staff strikes - which would have seen two Perth schools close for three days - have been suspended after union members received an improved pay offer.
Both Unite and GMB Scotland unions - who represent Tayside Contracts members and local bin collectors respectively - previously refused Cosla’s (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) five per cent pay rise offer, with add-ons, on Monday.
The next phase of GMB strike action was to take place over September 7-10, with Unite strike action set to take place on days over September 6-13.
On Thursday, the council decided to close Perth Academy and Fairview School over September 7-9 due to the industrial action to "ensure the safety of our pupils" with facilities assistants, cleaners and catering staff set to take part.
Household bins were also to go uncollected on selected days amid the pay dispute.
But after days of "intense negotiations" with the first minister, the deputy first minister, Scottish Government and COSLA, Unison secured an improved offer from COSLA that they will put to trade unions with a recommendation to accept.
Unite and GMB are echoing Unison's recommendation to its member and Unite has revealed it will hold a consultative ballot of its local government membership on the offer which it aims to complete by September 22.
Strike action will be put on hold until a decision is made over the latest offer, which consists of:
• An increase of £2000 for those earning up to £20,500
• An increase of £1925 for those earning between £20,500 to £39,000
• A 5% increase for those earning between £39,000 to £60,000
• A maximum increase of £3k for those earning above £60,000
• The removal of SSSC fees where application (social care registration fees)
• 1 extra days annual leave
• All increases based on a 36hr week calculator
Johanna Baxter, UNISON head of local government said: “This offer is a victory for UNISON members.
"It has taken eight months and the industrial might of UNISON members in schools and early years and waste and recycling workers to drag £600m out of Scottish government and COSLA and into the pockets hardworking people.
"COSLA originally offered two per cent, then 3.5 per cent, then 5 per cent - we now we have £600m on the table, which is a 7.5 per cent increase to the total pay bill and 87 per cent of our council workers will receive fully consolidated increases between five per cent to 10 per cent.
"UNISON want to get this money into the pockets of council workers now while we continue the campaign to support people through the cost of living crisis.
"It is only through the collective action of our members in school and early years staff threatening strike action and our waste and recycling workers taking action that we have forced these extra funds out of government and the employer.
"Our member’s message was clear and unequivocal – UNISON’s local government members are no longer prepared to be treated as the poor relations of the public sector.
"They will stand up, speak up and organise to win change together. There is always more to do but this is a welcome step in the right direction.”
