Staff working in schools across Scotland could walkout in September amid an ongoing pay dispute.

Unison has said they have written to all councils in the country to inform them that strike ballots will be issued to more than 38,000 workers in schools, early years, and family centres due to the dispute.

The union claims if staff back the industrial action, there could be 'mass walkouts' across Scotland in September.

The dispute - over what Unison says is an ' inadequate pay offer' - affects all Scottish council workers.

They say employer organisation Cosla has made a two-stage offer, which would operate over an 18-month period.

This would give a 2.2 per cent increase for the first six months and an additional two per cent for the subsequent 12 months, until September next year.

UNISON Scotland local government committee chair Colette Hunter said: “Cosla’s lack of engagement on pay is bitterly disappointing.

“Local government workers firmly rejected Cosla’s offer in a consultation earlier in the year.

"There should have been talks way before now. It doesn’t show any great desire to resolve this dispute.

“Local government workers were due a pay rise at the beginning of April and are becoming increasingly disillusioned.

"They feel undervalued, and the delays will do nothing to fix the recruitment and retention issues we have within local government.”

UNISON Scotland lead for local government David O’Connor said: “No one wants to take strike action. It’s always a last resort.

“Cosla’s proposal falls short of UNISON’s pay claim. It’s also less than the offer made to the lowest-paid local government staff south of the border.

“Workers are simply asking for a pay deal that addresses below-inflation pay settlements, which have reduced the value of staff wages by a quarter over the past 14 years. 

"Council workers deserve to be paid wages reflecting their essential roles.”