Non-teaching school staff are set to strike in 24 council areas across Scotland in action that is expected to lead to widespread closures.

The vote over industrial action by Scotland’s biggest council union Unison was set to close today.

The results mean nearly 2,000 union members will walk out in a bid to secure a better pay deal for all local government workers.

Unison’s Scottish secretary Lilian Macer said: “This is Unison’s strongest strike mandate ever and shows you the anger of staff in local government in Scotland.

“Of course, Unison will do all it can to get back around the table with Cosla as we are well aware that school staff want to be in school working with children – not out on picket lines closing schools. But Scottish Government and Cosla must be no doubt of the resolve of Unison members to take strike action for an improved pay deal for all local government workers.

"Unison is the largest representative body of local government workers by far, and if we have to take industrial action school will close in 24 councils across Scotland.”

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