Glasgow City Council is preparing to roll out a new pay and grading structure (PGS) from April 2026, which it says will finally resolve its long-running equal pay dispute.
But the Joint Trade Unions (JTUs) – consisting of GMB, UNISON and Unite – have raised serious objections ahead of this week's city administration committee vote.
The new scheme will see 89% of staff’s earnings increase or stay roughly the same, according to the council. In cases where earnings decrease, pay will be protected for six months.
The scheme will also introduce a new system of allowances and standardise the approach to public holidays across the council.
In a formal response, the JTUs say the proposals fall well short of the fair, sustainable structure promised since talks began in 2018. Their concerns centre on the scale of financial detriment facing affected staff, arrangements for assimilation and backpay, and what they describe as inadequate pay protection measures.
The unions argue further investment in the pay bill and implementation costs is urgently needed before the scheme proceeds.
