Pay Update 30 May 2008 and June 2008

Scottish local government strike action moves a step closer

Special Pay Meeting
on Wednesday 2nd July 2008
At the Kintore Arms, Inverurie at 6pm

The prospect of Scotland-wide strike action over the pay dispute in Local Government moved closer on Thurs 29 May, as Scotland’s largest local council union agreed to seek a ballot on strike action from its 100,000 Scottish local council members.

Come along and hear more at the Special Pay Meeting.
Click here for the Members' Briefing.

A Special Local Government Pay Conference in Glasgow heard that a consultation exercise over the pay offer received from CoSLA, had resulted in an 80% rejection rate from members throughout Scotland. But – as there had been no response from the employers there was no alternative but to prepare for strike action.

This branch voted 2-1 to reject the employers' offer in a recent consultation and on this basis, your representatives at the conference supported the proposals for a ballot. "UNISON, along with the GMB & UNITE (T&G) had recommended rejection of this offer, warning that to achieve an improved offer would require sustained and significant industrial action on the part of members," said Kate Ramsden, Branch Chair.

"We made that very clear when all our branch members in Local Government were asked to vote on the three year pay offer, and those who did so overwhelmingly rejected it. We must now campaign for a YES vote in the strike ballot, likely to be held from 1st - 31st July."

The joint trade unions have put out the first of a series of Stewards Briefings. Click here for the briefing.

Click here to get a Pay Matters Campaign Pack from the UNISON Scotland website.

Dougie Black, UNISON Regional Officer, and Secretary of the Trade Union negotiators said “This below inflation offer from CoSLA, does not even compensate members for the current rises in the cost of living. In addition the employers seem to want to lock members into a set rise for the next three years however high inflation goes. This, and the lack of any recognition of the problems of low pay has angered our members.

“We are now starting a campaign to demonstrate to employers that our members are determined to take action to win a fair pay settlement.”

The local government trade unions submitted a claim for 5% or £1,000 a year (whichever was the greater) plus increased annual leave. The employers responded with an offer of 2.5% a year for the next three years – with no re-opener clause.

Stephanie Herd, Chair of UNISON’s Scottish Local Government Group said “For our low-paid members, this offer represents an increase of 46p an hour after three years. It is time that CoSLA realised that members are serious about the unacceptable nature of this offer. We will be balloting our members over July, urging them to Vote, and to Vote YES.

UNISON along with GMB and UNITE (T&G) have also agreed to establish a joint group to co-ordinate the trade unions’ programme of action.”

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