PARKING staff in Glasgow have voted to strike when the city hosts one of its biggest sporting events ever.

GMB Scotland announced its members will walk out next month during the UCI Cycling World Championships.

Thousands of people are expected in the city and extra restrictions will be in place on the roads.

The union has targeted the championships and said the action will threaten the event as illegally parked cars could obstruct the road races.

The strike is over a pay dispute with Cosla, which represents all of Scotland's councils.

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser for public services, said: “The overwhelming support for industrial action among our members in parking services should come as no surprise after they were offered a pay rise so far below the rate of inflation during an unprecedented cost of living crisis.

“The World Cycling Championships should be an opportunity to showcase our country around the globe and to risk it being disrupted by failing to properly recognise the work of our members is an appalling act of self-harm by our council leaders.”

GMB said the ballot was called after 94% of more than 21,000 GMB members working for Scottish councils rejected a pay offer of 5.5%, less than council colleagues were offered in England and Wales.

The UCI World Cycling Championships takes place from August 3 to August 13.

It will see events held at venues across the city and also road races going through the city centre, requiring dozens of road closures and parking restrictions to be in place.

Glasgow City Council has been contacted for comment.