GLASGOW'S entire cleansing staff could walk out over uncertainty around 130 street cleaning jobs.

The Evening Times told earlier this month how under-threat refuse workers voted to strike in a consultation ballot.

But the move has not persuaded Glasgow City Council to give staff answers - and so the entire 800-strong workforce was balloted.

A vote of 80 per cent in favour of industrial action was returned and now an official ballot will take place.

The GMB, with support from Unison, has informed the council that an industrial action vote will go ahead.

GMB Scotland Organiser Rhea Wolfson said: "Our members have voted overwhelmingly to defend these jobs and to prevent a disastrous 12 per cent cut to the city's refuse and cleansing services.

"For months we have been pressing the council to bring forward a plan for the future of LES and with it the retention of existing posts and further investment.

"Yet nothing has been forthcoming and the budget for the next year is imminent.

"Now Councillor Feargal Dalton has said that employment levels in the service should be 'on the basis of need'.

"Surely he is not suggesting that the solution to Glasgow's evident waste crisis is for bin collections and street cleaning resources to be slashed

"That's just not credible."

Contracts for the street cleansing workers run out on March 31 and their loss would represent a 12 per cent cut to cleansing services in Glasgow.

If a strike goes ahead it will affect all street cleaning and bin collections across the city.

Mr Dalton, speaking previously to the Evening Times, had pointed the finger at the former Labour administration, saying the temporary contracts were a headache created by former councillors.

The ballot will be held from February 19 to March 5 with strike dates to be planned depending on the result of the ballot.

It is understood many of the 130 staff due to lose their jobs were taken on from positions of long term unemployment and were hired from a Community Safety Glasgow homelessness support initiative.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “Given that these are currently temporary posts, funded for one year, any change to the existing arrangements would need to be addressed in the council’s budget; which is due to be debated by members next week.

“Budget discussions are currently ongoing.

"However, the council's administration has made it clear to officials that cleansing and the local environment are among their priorities for long-term investment.”

However, Ms Wolfson was clear that she had asked Mr Dalton directly whether these jobs would be considered as part of the council budget and he was clear they would not.

She addded: "The council's intransigence is a prescription for a health and safety nightmare on our streets and in our communities - this problem is not going to go away without investment and more resources.

"That's why are our members are taking a stand now to defend their jobs and services, because make no mistake; these cuts are the thin end of the wedge for the future of LES in public hands."