Scotland's big three public sector unions are gearing up for a bloody battle with employers over pay.

Unison, GMB and Unite in Scotland are calling on their members to reject COSLA's latest pay offer of 3% for 2008 and 2.5% for 2009, and prepare for tough times ahead.

Unison has started balloting its 100,000 members on the offer, and a decision is expected early next month.

But local government group chairman, Stephanie Herd, warned: ‘Unison will be making it clear to our members that it will take a lot of pressure to get the employers to improve their offer.

‘The employers are determined to keep the pay rise at the level of the current offer. If members hope to shift them, we need to strengthen our industrial action strategy, and members will need to be prepared to increase the level of their activity.'

GMB Scotland's public services senior organiser, Alex McLuckie, said it wanted a return to the single-year pay deal.

And Unite's regional officer, Jimmy Farrelly, said: ‘This hard-hearted stance has only exacerbated an already-strained situation, and strengthened the resolve of our members to win a living wage.'

Scotland's town halls have already seen two days of industrial action in the past two months over pay.

South of the border, all three unions will meet on 3 November to discuss the long-standing dispute over pay.

They are urging ACAS to begin arbitration, so a resolution can be reached by Christmas.