WASTE services strikes planned for Fife next week have been suspended after unions agreed to ballot members on an improved council pay offer.

UNISON confirmed the decision which they say followed "days of intense negotiations" with the First Minster, the Deputy First Minister, Scottish Government and COSLA.

They say an improved offer from COSLA has now been made which they will put to their members with a recommendation to accept.

Earlier this week, Fife Council warned householders to prepare for "significant disruption" because of the action – which was due to take place from September 6 to 13 – involving waste and recycling centres staff and street cleansing staff.

The fresh pay offer consists of an increase of £2000 for those earning up to £20,500, a rise of £1925 for those earning between £20,500 to £39,000 and a five per cent increase for those earning between £39,000 to £60,000.There will be a maximum increase of £3k for those earning above £60,000.

The deal, based on a 36 hour week calculator, also includes the removal of SSSC fees and one extra day of annual leave.

UNISON's head of local government, Johanna Baxter, said the offer was 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," she said.

"COSLA originally offered 2 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 5 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 members' 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.”

Mark Ferguson, chair of UNISON Scotland local government committee, added: “Do not underestimate the scale of the achievement for UNISON members. We have won significant increases from where we started eight months ago.

"We have had to drag the employer to the table to even talk to us. This will go someway to help them through the cost of living crisis but by no means is the fight over. UNISON will now continue its campaign to improve pay and conditions for all workers in local government.”

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."

Councillor Katie Hagmann, Cosla's human resources spokeswoman, said the revised offer showed that councils had "listened to the concerns of our workforce and have responded positively."