Scottish Water workers are to take industrial action over the festive holiday period, union leaders said today.

Scottish Water workers are to take industrial action over the festive holiday period, union leaders said today.

Members of the GMB, Unison and Unite unions intend to begin a overtime and emergency stand-by ban from 4pm tomorrow as part of a pay dispute.

The dispute means staff who are normally on hand to cope with water or sewage treatment failures, burst mains or flooding will not be available over Christmas and New Year. The action is set to run until January 5.

Union leaders said the action was confirmed today, following the breakdown of pay talks with senior managers.

Scottish Water moved to reassure the public that contingency plans will be put in place to make sure that customer service is not be compromised.

This latest action comes after hundreds of Scottish Water staff walked out in November in protest at a pay rise they claim is not good enough.

Richard Leonard, who represents GMB members in Scottish Water, said the decision had not been taken lightly.

He said: "We have met twice with senior Scottish Water directors in the last few days in a bid to avert this action.

"But these directors appear to have taken a decision that they would rather see this important public service put at risk than negotiate a settlement."

He said the unions, who represent more than 2,000 workers in Scottish Water, had put forward a number of proposals which they believe would have solved the dispute.

And he added that the workers were looking for public support on this issue.

"Our members provide a vital service in safeguarding public health, managing a precious natural resource and protecting the environment.

"They deserve reward and respect for their efforts.

"Whilst directors in Scottish Water have pocketed pay rises of between 30% and 40% over the last two years, the workers are being offered little over 2%.

"As a public utility this is all being done in our name. That's why we are looking for public support and if necessary political intervention to find a just outcome."

Scottish Water said they had hoped an enhanced offer of 3.75% would provide a way forward in the dispute.

Branding the action "unfortunate", director of communications Chris Wallace, said: "We are extremely disappointed by the decision of our unions to reject this new pay offer from Scottish Water and by their decision to carry out industrial action over the Christmas and New Year period in the form of an overtime and standby ban.

"We are working on contingency plans to ensure our service to customers is not compromised.

"This is action by a segment of the workforce and every effort will be made to limit any effect on our customers. We would ask for understanding from our customers as we seek to limit the impact of this unfortunate action.

"Scottish Water believes that the proposed extension to the pay deal through to 2010 was a positive step to try and resolve what can only become an increasingly damaging dispute."

Dougie Black, regional organiser of Unison Scotland insisted only 2% of the 3.75% figure was guaranteed.

"There is still time to resolve this dispute before the industrial action starts on 24th December, however Scottish Water must be prepared to make significant improvements to what's already on the table," he said.

Dave Wilkinson, also from Unison, added: "Regrettably Scottish Water have failed to come up with an acceptable offer. Scottish Water can improve the offer and I would urge them to reconsider their position and resolve this dispute."

Scottish Water later said it had offered the unions a meeting tonight or tomorrow morning to have further talks.

Mr Wallace said: "Scottish Water hopes that a solution could be found to avoid this disappointing action.

"Many of our workers will come in during the festive season to ensure service to our customers is maintained and any potential disruption is minimised."