Laura Sharman 27 July 2022

Council workers in Scotland vote for strike action

Council workers in Scotland vote for strike action image
Image: illMad / Shutterstock.com

Thousands of Scottish council workers have voted to strike in a dispute over pay.

Members of UNISON Scotland have voted to reject the 2% final pay offer from COSLA and take industrial action.

The trade union warned this will disrupt schools, early years centres, nurseries and waste and recycling centres across Scotland, and urged COSLA to make an improved offer when they meet on Friday.

Johanna Baxter, UNISON head of local government said: 'Council workers south of the border yesterday were offered a flat rate uplift of £1925, which for those on the lowest pay equates to a 10.5% increase. You have to wonder why council workers north of the border have only been offered a measly 2% increase when the cost of living continues to spiral.

'UNISON have been calling for a flat rate payment to help those on lower incomes. Most council workers earn less than £25k per year.

'It is clear now that local government workers have had enough and are prepared to strike in the coming weeks unless we see a sensible offer, from COSLA, on the table on Friday.'

UNISON said the vote had exceeded the required 50% turnout threshold in nine local authority branches.

Leader of Stirling Council, Chris Kane, warned: 'If councils cannot provide a decent level of pay, then we won’t be able to recruit or retain the staff needed to run local services and that would be a disaster for Stirling and the local services we value most.'

Employers in England have offered a flat rate pay rise of £1,925 to all council staff.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Planning Officer

Swindon Borough Council
Up to £97,974 per annum
We’ll give you the opportunity to be our spatial storyteller, weaving together narratives of land, people, history and future. Swindon, Wiltshire
Recuriter: Swindon Borough Council

Cleaner

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 per hour
Working for NYC as a Cleaner, you will be responsible for the cleaning duties Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Cleaner

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 per hour
Working for NYC as a Cleaner, you will be responsible for the cleaning duties Kirkbymoorside, York
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Technology Support Engineer

North Yorkshire Council
£25,989 - £29,064 per annum
If you have a keen interest in providing quality customer support, problem solving IT? Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Catering Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 per hour
As a Catering Assistant your role will be to support the Cook/Catering Manager in delivering an effective catering service Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner