Bin strikes in Angus, Dundee, Perth and Kinross are still scheduled to go ahead this week amid uncertainty over whether staff will accept an improved pay offer.
Unite is seeking clarity on what a proposed 5% rise would mean for the lowest-paid workers.
Scotland’s council leaders agreed to make the offer in a Cosla meeting on Friday but Unite is now asking for more talks.
Further discussions are scheduled on Tuesday – just 24 hours before the strikes in Dundee and Angus are set to begin.
GMB Scotland members say they will go ahead with their strike, including in Perth and Kinross, if the pay offer is not increased further.
Unite unhappy with small print
Alison Maclean, Unite industrial officer, said: “Unite’s local government committee has reaffirmed that the strike action ongoing in Edinburgh and scheduled to take place in a further 14 councils continues as planned.
“There remains insignificant detail on the 5% pay offer, and what this in reality means for the lowest-paid workers.
“At this moment the offer from Cosla remains a vague aspirational pledge but Unite can’t take anything to our wider membership unless we have specifics and guarantees.
“A meeting is scheduled for tomorrow with Cosla and we will then reassess the situation.
“Our members have taken the brave stance of taking strike action to get the pay rise they deserve and we are determined to ensure that this happens.”
Perth and Kinross refuse workers are also scheduled to strike from Friday until Monday.
GMB Scotland senior organiser Keir Greenaway said: “Our members want clarity from Cosla about whether this proposal comes with the assurance of a flat rate award, a key demand of the union pay claim.
“The prospect of the highest paid getting the biggest cash increases in any offer would be unacceptable, let alone one that is still well below inflation.
“Unions will now meet with Cola officials tomorrow morning, but in the meantime all existing and planned strike action remains on.”
The Courier has contacted Cosla for comment.
What happens next?
The further meeting between Cosla and the unions on Tuesday could bring clarity on the details of the 5% offer.
If the unions are happy with the additional guarantees, they would then be expected to take the offer to their members.
An acceptance of the offer would stop the planned strike action.
The councils in Angus and Perth and Kinross have issued advice for residents on what to do if the strikes go ahead.
On Monday, Dundee City Council issued advice on what households should do while bins are not emptied.
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