Strikes that could have caused schools to close across much of Scotland next week have been suspended.

GMB union members in 10 council areas were due to walk out next Wednesday and Thursday over a pay dispute.

The industrial action, involving non-teaching staff in schools and early years centres, has now been postponed due to other unions being unable to take part on those days.

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser for public services, said discussions are taking place for joint action later in September.

He said: “We wanted to give parents, children and local authorities as much clarity around our plans as possible.

“We had served notice for two days of strike action this month but as our sister unions cannot join us on these dates these have been withdrawn and we are actively discussing joint action with our sister unions for later in the month.”

Those working across catering, cleaning, pupil support, administration and janitorial services are set to take part in the strikes after rejecting a pay rise of 5.5% from council umbrella body COSLA in April.

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The mandate for strikes affects Aberdeen, Clackmannanshire, the Western Isles, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Falkirk, Glasgow, Orkney, Renfrewshire and South Ayrshire.

Mr Greenaway added: “COSLA has an opportunity to avert that action if they can offer our members a fair pay rise and we can only urge them to take that opportunity.”

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COSLA previously said council leaders had made a “strong offer” to the workforce, which would raise the local government living wage by 99p to £11.84 per hour.

GMB, Unison and Unite have each rejected the average pay increase of 5.5%.

A COSLA spokesperson said: “There was a positive meeting of council leaders yesterday, and we hope to meet the trade union colleagues as soon as possible to discuss next steps.”

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