Janitors at Glasgow primary schools are to strike for three days next week.

Workers who are members of trade union Unison are in dispute with their employer, Cordia, over extra payments.

More than 100 janitors walked out for three days in March, which led to the cancellation of breakfast clubs.

The second strike will take place from April 20 to 22 and protests are planned at Cordia’s headquarters.

Some Cordia staff are allocated points for duties which involve physical demand, working outdoors or dealing with unpleasant conditions.

If enough points are accumulated, additional Working Context and Demands Payment (WCD) rates are triggered.

Primary school janitors are demanding these pensionable WCD payments which range from £500 to £1000 a year.

Unison members began industrial action on January 19 by refusing to carry out some duties. They then went on strike from March 11 to 13.

Despite this, Cordia - one of Glasgow City Council’s arm's-length external organisations (ALEOs) - has declined to get around the table with union leaders again. 

Unison branch officer Sam Macartney said: “In March, the janitors took three days of strike action in an escalation of the dispute. A further three days of strike will take place from 20 April to 22 April, with more to follow if Cordia and Glasgow City Council do not agree a negotiated settlement of the dispute. We want justice for jannies in Glasgow.

“The city’s parents, carers and the wider public will be rightly astonished that the employer is refusing to even meet these hard working janitors and their trade union.

“Unison is very clear that school janitors meet the criteria to be awarded this payment.”

A Cordia spokesman said: “Cordia has been through an extensive formal grievance process with the janitorial staff who are participating in industrial action. The issue has been subject to the Collective Disputes procedure, giving Unison three opportunities to outline their issues.

“The final decision by the ‘Nominations, Appointments and Appeals Sub Committee’ rejected Unison’s claim for a Working Context and Demands Payment for janitors. 

“As additional context, janitors were assessed as part of the Work, Pay and Benefits Review in 2006 with no significant change in their duties since that time.

“Cordia has completely exhausted all internal processes after negotiations with Unison and is not required to convene a meeting to further negotiate when at this stage, there is no possibility of a settlement.”

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council could not confirm whether breakfast clubs will go ahead during the strike.

She said: “We will work with Cordia to ensure that the impact of the planned strike action being taken by Unison janitors is minimised.

“Our schools and nurseries will be open for business as usual.

“We are currently assessing the availability of breakfast clubs during the days of action and will be updating headteachers and parents early next week of the arrangements.”