CCTV operators will go on strike every weekend in a long-running dispute over pay.

The 19 camera operatives working at Community Safety Glasgow have announced they will take the industrial action every weekend, beginning at 7am this Friday.

Unison members employed by the Glasgow City Council arms-length organisation said they are taking the action as part of "escalating pay dispute".

The workers, responsible for operating and monitoring the 400 CCTV cameras throughout the city, went on strike in February and March and have now decided to step up their industrial action.

Staff at CSG are responsible for assisting police in preventing crime and tackling antisocial behaviour in the city.

Concerns have previously been raised over the move, with one MSP saying it would put "the public in danger" as he urged union bosses to reconsider the strike action.

Brian Smith, Unison Glasgow branch secretary, said: "Our members are determined to win pay justice and will begin strike action on Friday, April 1, at 7am until Monday evening.

"These four day strikes will take place every weekend until CSG and Glasgow City Council see sense. Our members refuse to be taken for fools any longer, and on 1 April will step-up their action.”

The union says its 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", Unison says.

Jim Main, Unison branch officer, said: "Our members have patiently waited for years, Community Safety Glasgow promised to sort this out.

"All the trade unions were given an implementation date for a new and fair payment system of April 2015.

"It is simply unreasonable to expect them to accept this any longer. Unison members have told us it feels like daylight robbery while on a night shift in Community Safety Glasgow."

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes previously called for CSG and the unions to resolve the situation and make sure the "chance of having video footage that could help bring criminals to justice is not diminished."

Ms McInnes told STV News: "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: "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."