Schools, libraries and local service centres across north east Fife closed on Wednesday as a day of industrial action by staff disrupted Fife Council services. Members of the trades unions UNISON, Unite and GMB staged a 24-hour strike in support of their pay claim, following on from a similar protest on August 20.

Fourteen north east Fife primary and secondary schools and nurseries had to shut their doors, including Cupar's Bell Baxter High School and Waid Academy in Anstruther, while Madras College, St Andrews closed its Kilrymont site for S1-3 pupils.

The primary schools affected were Balmerino, Canongate, Castlehill, Ceres, Crail, Falkland, Greyfriars, Kettle, Lawhead, Newburgh and Newport, as well as St Andrews Nursery.

Exemptions agreed between Fife Council and the trades unions helped the authority maintain essential services during the day, aiming to protect the most vulnerable people in Fife.

Council chiefs estimated that fewer people - less than half of all employees - participated in the latest industrial action.

Fife Council head of human resources Sandy Gallanders said: "This repetition of industrial action by the trades unions is a response to a pay deal that is being negotiated at a national level by COSLA, on behalf of all Scottish councils.

SYMPATHETIC

"As an employer, Fife Council is sympathetic to people's concerns about the rising cost of living, but we also have to be realistic about the amount of money that we have to cover employee salaries.

"The deal that has been put forward by COSLA is, quite simply, all that councils can afford at this time."

Mr Gallanders added: "We apologise to customers who were affected by disruptions and will, of course, do our best to make sure any outstanding issues are resolved as soon as possible."

The unions had already rejected a pay offer of 2.5 per cent during negotiations with COSLA, and the second day of industrial action was called for when the offer was not improved after further talks.

Alex McLuckie of GMB Scotland said: "It's regrettable that the employers broke off the negotiations and regrettable that our members have had to take further action.

"We would ask the employers to get round the table again."

The strike affected bin collections and householders were advised to put their bin out as normal and if not collected on the usual day, leave it on the kerbside until Monday, September 29.

If it still has not been collected, check www.fifedirect.org.uk, which also has more advice and information about the disruptions.