Strikes that that have hit schools and waste services across a number of council areas in Scotland have been suspended as workers consider a new pay offer. 

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (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.

Its new offer also included 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.

In addition, workers will get one extra day of annual leave.

Unison will now ballot its members with a recommendation to accept the improved pay offer.

Unison's head of local government, Johanna Baxter, 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 the 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, added: '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.'

COSLA's resources spokesperson Katie Hagmann said: ‘The revised offer made shows that Scotland's council leaders have listened to the concerns of our workforce and have responded positively.'