COUNCIL safety staff are to go on strike every weekend for the foreseeable future as a row over pay escalates.

Staff who work for Community Safety Glasgow, an arms length Glasgow City Council company, will stage walkouts to coincide with the upcoming Old Firm game, and Bonfire Night.

Trade union Unison says members are also calling for a withdrawal of their services for the full two weeks of Christmas and new Year.

Workers are striking over CSG plans to change change shift payments to levels lower those paid to Glasgow City Council employees.

The 100 striking CSG staff work across a range of areas, including supervising community payback orders, security of council buildings and CCTV operation.

Community Payback placements have been cancelled as a result of the upcoming strikes, according to the union.

Benny Rankin, GMB Scotland Officer, said:“Our members will be continuing their two day weekly stoppages which will include disruption to services the weekends and the up and coming Celtic v Rangers match at Hampden and the Guy Fawkes weekend.

"There are also calls from our members to increase the dispute to withdraw services for the full two weeks at the Christmas and New Year period.

"Our dispute is just and not unreasonable.

"We ask once again that the Glasgow Labour Administration get involved and resolve this dispute”

Brian Smith, UNISON Glasgow Secretary, said: “ The trade unions believe that the payment levels are far too low compared to those in other parts of the Glasgow City Council Family.

"For example, the nightshift payment in the council is almost double that which CSG intend to pay.

"The trade unions do not believe that the proposed payments adequately compensate workers who undertake shifts and our members have been left with no option other than to take strike action."

A spokesman from Community Safety Glasgow previously said: "The pay review means the vast majority of staff with either gain a pay rise or retain current levels of pay.

“Some of those considering strike action will even benefit by up to £4500 per year.

“The demand to adopt the council pay structure rather than the new CSG model would actually mean a pay cut for some members rather than a pay rise.

“For the small number of staff who remain in detriment there will be no change in pay and conditions for two years while we seek solutions for them.”

The Evening Times has contacted CSG for an updated response.