Public sector unions yesterday suspended all equal pay strikes after a deal was struck with Glasgow City Council to settle the long-running dispute.
Unison had previously suspended 29 and 30 March strikes after a last minute offer from Glasgow City Council and further talks. However, the union had planned further strike action in April and May.
These strikes are now all suspended after Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken wrote to the trade unions Tuesday night to confirm the local authority was committed to a deal reached in 2019.
‘We remain committed to a settlement that has the same basis as the 2019 deal. We are targeting a payment in October,’ she said.
‘We know that this momentum needs to be kept up in the weeks and months ahead so that a settlement and payment can be made quickly.’
Unison lawyers will now enter legal discussions over the financial settlement of members’ equal pay claims.
Unison Glasgow City Branch wrote to their members on Wednesday and said: ‘The industrial dispute objectives were to force the council to maintain the 2019 deal and agree to make further payments in an acceptable timescale. These objectives have been secured.
‘As stated previously, these were only won because trade union members were prepared to take strike action. Well done again to all UNISON members and to our sister trade unions.’
Commenting on the development, Sean Baillie, GMB Scotland Organiser, said: ‘For GMB members in Glasgow City Council, equal pay justice is a significant step closer.
‘The incredible strength and solidarity of GMB members, throughout many years of struggle, has been critical to achieving this progress and securing key commitments from the council.’ Both Unison and GMB noted that their mandate to strike remained ‘live’.
‘Will be closely monitoring the progress to deliver further payments as agreed by the leader of the council,’ said Unison.
