Members of the three local authority unions, UNISON, GMB and Unite (T&G), have rejected a pay offer of a 2.5 per cent rise each year for three years.

They are demanding an increase of five per cent or £1000 (whichever is the greater).

Now union members have voted to strike on Wednesday, August 20, unless the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) agrees to further talks.

UNISON's lead negotiator for local council staff Dougie Black said: "This result is a clear rejection of an inadequate offer.

"Our members are clear that they cannot afford another series of below inflation pay increases.

"Inflation is at 4.6 per cent and key items on household bills like bread and milk are increasing even faster.

"Our members need a fair offer from their employers."

He added: "We have a window of opportunity to see if we can avoid disruptive strikes. I hope the employers take it."

UNISON's Fife branch chair Stevie Murray said: "Our members are not the cause of inflation — they are the victims of it.

"They have the worst pay, holidays, parental rights and sick pay in the public sector and without them vital services will fall apart.

"The offer is a pay cut, increases the differential between higher and low paid and locks us into likely pay cuts for three years."

Fife Council head of human resources Sandy Gallanders said the council had more than 9000 union members and could not predict how well the strike action would be supported.

"We will attempt to negotiate exemptions with the unions to ensure that some key services aren't disrupted," he said.

"As far as possible, the council will continue to provide key public services as well as all vital high priority services for vulnerable people.

"CoSLA has made this offer on behalf of all Scottish councils, following extensive talks with the unions.

"The offer aligns with the settlement that the Scottish Government made with councils for the next three years."