Laura Sharman 09 November 2018

Council pay offer rejected as union moves towards strike action

The 3% pay offer for council workers in Scotland has been rejected by members of Unison Scotland.

The ballot saw 79% of members voting in favour of rejecting the offer, which was made to all staff earning up to £80,000. Seven out of ten members (67%) also voted to take industrial action.

Johanna Baxter, head of local government (bargaining) at the union, said: 'What this result demonstrates is a real anger and frustration amongst Unison members at the lack of action by CoSLA and the Scottish government to address the serious issue of low pay in local government.

'Unison will talk to other local government trade unions on Friday to discuss further action and we will inform employers of the ballot results then.

'As the Scottish government prepare their budget we will put further pressure on them to make more money available to fund a decent pay rise for local government staff. Local government workers have endured a decade of real-terms pay cuts, and they have now simply had enough.'

In response, COSLA's resources spokesperson, Cllr Gail Macgregor said: 'Obviously my first reaction is one of disappointment at the outcome of the ballot. We value our workforce and our 3% offer matches other offers within the public sector in Scotland. However, whilst disappointed, we as employers look forward to discussing this with UNISON at our joint meeting today.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Apprentice Highways Operative

Durham County Council
£15,434 per annum NMW in first year of apprenticeship
Earn. Learn. Qualify. Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, deve Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Workers - Casual

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £30,024 - £33,699 pro rata to hours worked. Pay award pending.
Residential Workers - Casual Contract Opportunities are available across the County Durham Area We have opportunities available to join the casual p Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Workers

Durham County Council
Grade 7, £30,024 - £33,699 per annum. Pay award pending.
Residential Workers - Opportunities are available across the County Durham Area Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leaders

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £32,597 - £36,363 per annum (pay award pending)
Team Leaders – Opportunities are available across the County Durham Area   Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Casual Tutor

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£35.75 per hour
Casual Tutor£35.7... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner