LAST-DITCH talks between Glasgow Life and trade unions will be held today in a bid to block a strike two days before the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

Unison and Unite are required by law to give employers seven days' notice of industrial action and the Evening Times has learned that this was served yesterday.

Glasgow Life workers at the city's museums and leisure centres who are members of trade unions plan to walk out on July 21. The Evening Times understands bosses at the arms-length organisation, which runs the council's publicly-owned leisure centres, museums and libraries, will get around the table with union leaders today.

Unison and Unite members are involved in a dispute over staff overtime pay and shift patterns during the Commonwealth Games.

Unison's ballot of 321 members saw 93 take part with 67 voting for a strike. Unite's ballot was much closer, with 75 of 183 members taking part and 38 in favour of industrial action.

A spokesman for Glasgow Life said: "The number of union

members balloting for strike action represents just under 4% of our

workforce, less than one in 25 of our staff.

"Less than a third of the Unison members

eligible to vote, took part in the ballot. Unite saw less than half of eligible members vote in the ballot and it is disappointing that they are calling members out on strike on such a narrow margin - one vote.

"We do not believe the results provide any

reasonable justification to embark on strike

action at any time, let alone in the build up to the biggest sport and cultural celebration the city has ever seen."

Unison City of Glasgow Branch Secretary Brian Smith said Glasgow Life has taken a "terrible approach".

Mr Smith said:

"Unison ran a ballot of members over a 10-day period, which is tight timewise, and 40% voted. That is higher than at the last council

elections in Glasgow which was 32% turnout, therefore we have a stronger democratic mandate than many elected members.

"Unison and Unite members will strike on July 21."

Unite regional industrial officer Willie McGonigle said: "We'll still be looking for our members to support the industrial action."

The Evening Times understands members of trade union GMB did not back strike action.

A union source said: “It wasn’t a positive result.”

GMB officer Cal Waterson could not be reached for comment.

A Glasgow Life spoke-sman said: "We will do everything possible to minimise disruption."