Union chiefs are warning of an escalation in their dispute with Scotland�s councils �within weeks� as a strike by tens of thousands of workers brought disruption to key services across the country.

Union chiefs are warning of an escalation in their dispute with Scotland's councils "within weeks" as a strike by tens of thousands of workers brought disruption to key services across the country.

Up to 200,000 local authority employees across Scotland were estimated to have taken part in the 24-hour walkout which yesterday left schools closed, bins left unemptied, ferries cancelled, day care and sports centres shut and libraries closed.

The leaders of the main unions have said the action provides the councils with a "window of opportunity" to restart negotiations but said that strategies were in place which could see an autumn of discontent with further days of action within the next month.

One idea being discussed by senior union officials is a day of action in Edinburgh and around Holyrood with striking civil servants to coincide with the beginning of the next parliamentary session.

A senior organiser with GMB has even accused the councils of allowing the strike to happen so they can gauge reaction and the depth of feeling among the workforce, while the unions insist they have widespread support and deny they have left the public stranded.

However, there appears to be some thawing of positions with representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities claiming the 2.5% rise fixed for three years may no longer be an option while the leader of Scotland's largest local authority, Glasgow's Steven Purcell, has also suggested councils look again at the pay rise.

Cllr Michael Cook, representing Cosla, has also denied councils left it too late in the day to inform parents of school closures, saying individual authorities needed to make assessments based on health and safety grounds.

Correspondence obtained by The Herald also suggests that Cosla appealed for further discussions immediately after the ballot for action at the end of July.

Matt Smith, Unison's Scottish secretary, said: "It seems that Steven Purcell and Michael Cook have been impressed by the backing for the strike and the arguments about the levels of inflation. But they need to come back to the unions with clear proposals to address the impact of rising prices on our members. If there is no movement then we will have to look to further action in the near future."

Unite's Jimmy Farrelly said: "This is a window of opportunity for the employers. The public recognise the dilemma our members are in.

"They are dedicated and don't want this disruption but have no choice. This could escalate in the next few weeks and its fair to say we're gearing up for that."

The GMB's Alex McLuckie said: "Employers don't seem prepared to talk, no matter what they say.

"We met on August 11 and things seemed positive but then went cold, that's why I think they wanted this to happen to gauge the reaction and strength of feeling. We could see more in two to three weeks."

Authorities including Glas-gow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen said only emergency social work and other key services were available in yesterday's stoppage.

Many councils listed school closures on their websites and in rural areas there were warnings that transport would be hit.

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne cancelled sailings from Rothesay and Dunoon piers because of action by Argyll and Bute Council workers.

Museums in Glasgow, which are now run by an arms-length charity, were also shut but the action has been branded illegal as Culture and Sport Glasgow was not included in the ballot of the 32 local authorities.

Unison estimated that some 150,000 workers took part in today's council stoppage.

A similar response was reported by the PCS civil service union, whose members employed by the Scottish Government and Registers of Scotland staged a one-day walkout in a separate row over pay.

Cllr Cook said: "The unions have got to realise that we have no more money from central government. We need to get around the table.

"One thing the unions are unhappy about is the three-year deal which they say is a non-runner. We understand where they're coming from and there may now be a way of finding some common ground."

Finance Secretary John Swinney yesterday said he regretted any inconvenience to the public, adding: "It is for the unions and local authorities to resolve this dispute and avoid further disruption to public services.

"That can only be done through negotiation and we are encouraging both sides to get round the table to reach agreement."