Laura Sharman 15 August 2022

Scottish council workers get improved pay offer

Scottish council workers get improved pay offer image
Image: SpeedKingz / Shutterstock.com

Council leaders in Scotland have made an improved pay offer in a bid to avoid strike action.

COSLA have put forward a 5% pay increase after the original 2% increase was rejected by trade unions.

Cllr Katie Hagmann, COSLA Resources Spokesperson, said: 'Following the confirmation that the additional monies provided by Scottish Government will be recurring, leaders have now mandated me today to move forward with our trade union partners on the basis of an offer that raises the Scottish Local Government Living Wage to £10.50.

'Leaders have reaffirmed their aspiration to make an offer greater than the initial 2% but note the risk that public services will not recover, jobs will be affected and communities will see services reduced as local government budgets are unable to sustain the long term pressures they have been under.'

Waste workers are due to strike later this month, with schools and early years workers also preparing for industrial action.

GMB Scotland senior organiser for public services, Keir Greenaway, said: 'This is a dire response to the cost-of-living crisis facing our members. It will almost certainly lock-in more strikes but let’s also be clear that many frontline workers will fall into working poverty this winter unless this pay offer is significantly increased.

'The blame game between COSLA and the government will no doubt continue, but six months on from the overwhelming rejection of the initial pay offer, this is a damning indictment of how our council workers are valued by Scotland’s political leaders.'

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