Unions in Scotland have joined the battle over local government pay and rejected a deal as council workers in England and Wales await their offer. Talks between COSLA, representing Scotland's councils, and the main unions broke down last week. Scottish branches of Unison, Unite and GMB, were hoping for a 5% pay increase for 2008, but were offered a three-year deal with rises of 2.2% this year, 2.3% in 2009 and a further 2.2% in 2010. Dougie Black, Unison regional officer, said: ‘This offer doesn't approach the current rate of inflation, let alone begin to catch up the loss staff have suffered over recent years. ‘For our lowest-paid workers, the increase after three years would be just 42p.' Alex McLuckie from GMB Scotland said: ‘We don't think this offer is sufficient. We will continue through the negotiating cycle.' Unite said ‘negotiations were still ongoing'. COSLA said it was disappointed at the decision, and hoped to reach agreement at the next meeting on 3 March. Unions south of the border are still waiting to hear if they will get a 6% pay rise this year. All three major public sector unions have campaigned for fair pay for local government workers. Unison's Heather Wakefield said: ‘Local government employees have become the residual poor of the public sector. ‘It is time to call a halt to the lack of respect and value placed on our members' endeavours.' An offer is expected within the next few weeks.