Services to old and vulnerable people are being compromised due to industrial action

Age Scotland fears lives are being put at risk over a council strike which has led to serious disruption to local services.

It comes as East Dunbartonshire Council staff enter the third day of a four day strike over pay and conditions.

Age Scotland says it is concerned about the emergency arrangements for elderly and vulnerable people who receive care in their own homes and fears lives could be on the line.

Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland said: "It is absolutely vital that those older and vulnerable people in East Dunbartonshire classed as needing critical and substantial care do not go without the support they need.

"Lives could be on the line.

"The council and unions must come together and ensure that there is, at the very least, a 100% exemption for staff caring for older vulnerable people and work hard to resolve the dispute."

All schools and nurseries in East Dunbartonshire have been closed 21 and 26 June after council staff walked out.

It has affected leisure centres, libraries, museums and community hubs also.

A statement by East Dunbartonshire Council said: "In an effort to avoid strike action the council made a further offer to the trades unions this morning to allow further time for negotiation on the areas being identified as of most concern.

"To enable those further negotiations the strike would need to be suspended.

"Regrettably the trades unions declined this further offer and their strike action will go ahead as planned on Thursday 21, Friday 22, Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 June."

Simon Macfarlane, regional organiser for Unison, said: "Having voted by 93% margin to take strike action, Unison is implementing our members' decision to stand up to the devastating cuts they are facing.

"Our members don't want to take strike action but they have been left with no choice."