CCTV operatives in Scotland's largest city will go on strike over the weekend in a dispute over pay.

Eighteen members of staff employed as CCTV operators and supervisors by Community Safety Glasgow will take industrial action at 7pm on Friday until 7pm on Sunday.

Community Safety Glasgow (CSG), an arms-length organisation that works with the council and police, has responsibility for operating and monitoring the 400 CCTV cameras throughout the city.

These Unison members work shifts for no extra money and their hourly rate is £8.25 per hour. The purpose of the strike action is to force CSG into offering an acceptable payment for working shifts.

They plan to walk out again from Thursday March 17 to Saturday March 19.

Brian Smith, Unison Glasgow branch secretary, said: "These members work 12 hour shift patterns, providing a 24 hour service every day of the year.

"Other workers in CSG and Glasgow City Council on similar shift patterns receive an additional annual payment of £7500. It is just a question of equality and fairness.

"We have given the employer years to sort this out through a promised job evaluation scheme which has now been shelved. Our members have been left with no option but to take strike action."

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes previously told STV: "These CCTV cameras play an important role in law enforcement and when crimes are committed police rely on the footage they capture.

"But if operators are being stretched, everyone needs to come together so the dispute can be resolved fairly and so the chance of having video footage that could help bring criminals to justice is not diminished.”

Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said: "It is really irresponsible of Community Safety Glasgow staff to threaten a strike ballot.

"CCTV serves a purpose when used properly. It catches the perpetrators of crime and the aftermath, and CCTV evidence is often useful in bringing about a conviction in court.

"As usual, it is the union bosses whipping up a storm and putting the public in danger. We would urge them to reconsider strike action for the benefit of public safety."