Strikes that would have affected schools and waste services across a number of council areas in Scotland have been suspended as union members consider an improved pay offer.

COSLA has offered a pay increase of £2,000 for those earning up to £20,500 and an increase of £1,925 for those earning between £20,500 to £39,000.

The new offer also includes a 5% increase for those earning between £39,000 to £60,000 and a maximum increase of £3,000 for those earning above £60,000.

All of the increases are based on a 36hr – rather than a 37hr week – calculator. Workers will also get one extra day of annual leave. Unison will now ballot their members with a recommendation to accept the improved pay offer.

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 2%, then 3.5%, then 5% – we now we have £600m on the table, which is a 7.5% increase to the total pay bill and 87% of our council workers will receive fully consolidated increases between 5% to 10%.’

GMB Scotland senior organiser for Public Services Keir Greenaway said: 'It’s not a perfect offer but it is the view of GMB Scotland’s local government committee that it’s worthy of members consultation and their acceptance, but ultimately our members whose campaigning and strike actions have improved these terms will have the final say.

'In the meantime, we have agreed to suspend all planned strike action so this consultation process can take place and our GMB organisers and workplace reps will be visiting as many workplaces as possible to engage our members on this.'

Cllr Katie Hagmann, COSLA’s resources spokesperson, said: ‘Firstly I would like to thank all our trade union colleagues for the constructive discussions.

‘The revised offer made shows that Scotland’s council leaders have listened to the concerns of our workforce and have responded positively.

‘Council leaders have said consistently throughout these negotiations that we very much value and are grateful to the local government workforce.’