GMB Scotland members at North Ayrshire Council have sent a stark warning to those seeking election at May’s council elections: ‘We’ve faced enough cuts for far too long and this needs to stop.’

In a poll conducted by the union, staff overwhelmingly told the local authority they were fed up with cuts, job insecurity, and council fat cats earning massive pay cheques.

Many GMB members employed by North Ayrshire Council have seen their working hours cut and their pay reduced, while 159 council employees enjoy annual salaries of over £50,000.

GMB Scotland has been continually campaigning to save North Ayrshire recycling centres from further cuts and is concerned about cuts to waste collection.

Paul Arkison, GMB Scotland, said: “Year on year we have seen cuts to many vital services at North Ayrshire Council including cleaning, catering and janitorial services at schools.

“Now the cuts to recycling centres and waste collection will mean that the good people of North Ayrshire will start to feel a direct negative impact on the services that they have been previously used to.

“Education is one of the most important services a council provides, but what have seen continual attacks on catering, cleaning and janitorial services with further cuts on educational support services such as classroom assistants.

“The cuts have to stop.”