UNISON Scotland 2010 PAY CLAIM
Update October 2010
Consultation: Anger on pay but members
decide to defend services first
Members in local government are angry about pay and worried
that the imposed pay cut will hit the low paid the hardest. However,
their priority at this time is to protect and defend vital public
services as councils up and down the country slash budgets, jobs
and services.
This was the message from a consultation with members across
Scotland on the councils' imposition of a 0.65% pay offer this
year with a two years' pay freeze.
Our own branch consultation, conducted by stewards and
contacts, and via the website, reflected this position.
Branch delegates attended meeting of all Scottish local government
branches on Tuesday 5th October to consider the next steps and
agreed a plan of action to defend vital jobs and services and
to press for decent pay which values public service workers.
The main aim is for a campaign that will....
- urge all our members in local government to join with other
unions and service groups to support the STUC "There is a better
way" Demonstration on 23rd October in Glasgow.
- lobby political leaders with the message that there is an
alternative to cutting jobs and services
- link with branches to co-ordinate a campaign of opposition
to the cuts, and to get out the message that public service
cuts will damage the economy and local communities and that
there is a better way
- keep pressing the employers for a decent pay rise for council
workers through the conciliation (ACAS) service if possible
- work with the other public service unions for a decent pay
rise next year and the year after.
"Pay is inextricably linked with cuts and job losses as local
authorities axe vital services," said Bob Revie, Branch Secretary.
"Whilst the loss of these services impacts dramatically on members'
jobs it also has a huge impact on local communities. UNISON as
the largest public sector trade union in Scotland recognises this
and is actively encouraging and strengthening links with local
community groups and voluntary organizations."
The Scottish Employers (CoSLA) have imposed a non negotiated
pay settlement of 0.65% for 2010/11, 0% in 2011/12 and 0% in 2012/13
for all council and related staff. This represents a pay cut in
real terms for all our members and hits the lowest paid hardest.
The Trade Unions have consistently sought to resolve this dispute
through discussion and negotiation and laterly were seeking the
involvement of ACAS to arbitrate however the employers have refused
to cooperate and are simply ignoring the established Scottish
Bargaining Machinery.
Despite previous statements from the employers about how
they value their workforce the reality is that they are treating
their employees with contempt.
Click
here for full Local Government Committee briefing
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Update September 2010
Branches consult on pay imposition
The branch will be consulting with members as Aberdeenshire
imposes a 0.65% pay increase from April of this year.
This forms part of a 3 year pay imposition and the next two years
will see a pay freeze unless members are prepared to take action
in support of a fairer deal. Branch delegates will take members'
views to a Scotlandwide meeting on 5th October 2010.
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| Stephanie Herd |
UNISON has condemned the action as a "kick in the teeth"
to hard working local government workers, especially the low paid.
This comes at a time when chief officials have received a 2.5%
rise and teachers a 2.4% rise and will further increase the pay
gap between those at the top and the low paid.
Stephanie Herd, who chairs the Local Government Committee and
is part of the unions' negotiating team said, "Imposing a
deal is not the way to do pay bargaining.
"UNISON has made the case that there is an alternative to
the cuts agenda, an alternative that delivers the quality services
that Scotland needs, with decent pay and conditions for staff."
UNISON has lodged a formal dispute against CoSLA, claiming its
actions are wholly unacceptable to the trade unions.
"CoSLA had budgetted for a 1% pay increase this year but
have chosen to impose a lower figure than the Tory/Lib Dem Coalition
are prepared to pay public sector workers south of the border,"
added lead negotiator, Douglas Black.
"It is contemptible that they say they value public sector
workers. They can't possibly when they are reducing wages, taking
an offer off the table and imposing something worth less."
If you would like to give the branch your views on the pay
imposition and any action you would be prepared to take in support
of a fair pay deal email us at aberdeenshire@unison.co.uk
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Update No 2 August
2010
COSLA imposing 3 year pay deal is kick
in teeth to local government workers
UNISON today reacted angrily to COSLA’s decision to impose a
three year pay deal, calling it a kick in the teeth to local government
workers.
The deal which offers 0.65% this year and a two year pay freeze
falls far short of the 2.4% pay increase which teachers have been
given and the 2.5% rise enjoyed by Chief Officials. A meeting
of local government branch delegates on Friday 3rd Sept will decide
on the next steps.
Stephanie Herd, Chair of UNISON’s Scottish Local Government Committee,
said: “COSLA has misrepresented the unions’ negotiating position
and has said they value employees, while kicking them in the teeth
today.
“Imposing a deal is not the way to do pay bargaining and is totally
unfair to hard working local government workers across Scotland.
“UNISON has made the case that there is an alternative to the
cuts agenda, an alternative that delivers the quality services
Scotland needs, with decent pay and conditions for staff.”
Dougie Black, UNISON trade union side secretary and lead negotiator,
said: “All three trade unions jointly sought talks with COSLA
and these took place yesterday.
“Our position was that we wanted to look at re-shaping the offer
and we were not asking for more money. We simply wanted to talk
about re-shaping their offer.
“COSLA had budgeted for 1% this year but have chosen to impose
a lower figure than the Tory/Liberal Democrat coalition are prepared
to pay public sector workers south of the border.
“It is contemptible that they say they value public service workers.
They can’t possibly when they are reducing wages, taking an offer
off the table and imposing something worth less.”
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Update No 1 August
2010
Overwhelming rejection of local government
pay offer
UNISON Scotland today announced the result of the consultative
pay ballot of local government members. A total of 80% voted to
reject the council pay offer.
The offer was for a 3 year deal of 1% in the first year, 0% in
the second and 0.5% in the third.
UNISON and the other main unions had recommended a no vote.
Stephanie Herd, Chair of UNISON’s Scottish Local Government Committee,
said: “This overwhelming rejection shows how strongly our members
feel about an offer that is in reality a three year pay cut.
“Not only would our members and their families lose out, it would
be bad news for local economies across Scotland as members have
less money to spend in local shops and businesses.
"It is not surprising that our members feel angry and voted no,
when chief officials in local authorities were awarded 2.5% and
teachers 2.4%.
“It is unacceptable to attempt to tie many of the lowest paid
public sector workers, who deliver essential front line services,
into a 3 year deal worth 1.5%.”
Dougie Black, UNISON trade union side secretary and lead negotiator,
said: “We are meeting with members of our Local Government Committee
today and with the other unions later this week to decide on the
next steps in our pay campaign.
“Industrial action is one of a range of possible options we will
be considering.
“We will also be seeking an early meeting with the employers
to re-open negotiations following this decisive rejection of their
offer.”
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Update June 2010
UNISON consults members over "unacceptable"
council pay offer and calls for a NO Vote
On Monday 21st June UNISON started a ballot of all members working
for Scotland's councils on acceptance or rejection of the pay
offer made by the employers.
Please vote in the ballot. Do not be put off by the talk
of a pay freeze in the ConDem Government's budget. They can only
apply that where they are directly involved in negotiating pay.
Here in Scotland pay is negotiated through CoSLA and the budget
settlement is made by the Scottish SNP Government. Therefore it
is not inevitable that there will be a pay freeze for local government
in Scotland and we still need to know what our members think of
the pay offer.
The offer made is a 3 year deal of 1% in the first year, 0%
in the second and 0.5% in the third. UNISON and the other main
unions are recommending that the offer be rejected as it is effectively
a three year pay cut.
USE YOUR VOTE! The consultative ballot will run from 21
June 2010 and close at midday on 29 July 2010.
UNISON and the other unions are recommending rejection of the
three year pay cut. VOTE NO!
If you are a UNISON Local Government member in Scotland you should
have received a ballot paper in the week beginning Monday 21 June.
If you have not received your ballot paper or if you have any
queries relating to the consultative ballot, the Helpline number
is 0131 226 0087 and the enquiry e-mail address is membershipteamscotland@unison.co.uk
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Update May 2010
Call for members to reject pay cut
- it doesn't add up!
 UNISON,
along with the GMB and Unite unions, is calling on members to
reject CoSLA's three year pay offer of 1% this year, a pay freeze
next year and 0.5% in the third year.
UNISON Scotland has mounted a campaign for decent pay for
all our members, especially the low paid, and has described the
employers' offer as no more than a pay cut, when rising costs
and inflation are taken into account.
Ballot
A letter has been sent out to all members in local government
in Scotland and there will be a full postal ballot between 21st
June and 29th July, when you will all get a chance to have your
say.
What can you do?
Download the FAQs and the posters
and leaflets. Put up the posters and distribute the leaflets.
Talk to the other members and non-members
in your workplace and make sure they have a chance to discuss
the pay offer and understand why we are asking them to reject
the offer.
Encourage non-members to join UNISON.
The more members we have, the more bargaining strength we have
and the more likely we are to win a decent pay rise.
Let the Branch know your own views and
those of the members in your workplace by emailing the branch
office at aberdeenshire@unison.co.uk
Click
here to download answers to FAQs on why you should reject the
pay cut
Click
here to download the posters and leaflets
Anger
Dougie Black, UNISON Regional Organiser, and Lead Negotiator said,
"Our members will be very angry at this offer. It essentially
amounts to a pay cut when you look at rising costs and the real
rate of inflation. We need to make sure that the employers realise
this strength of feeling and return to the negotiating table.
This pay offer does not meet our claim in any way and if accepted,
will be seriously detrimental to our members, especially the low
paid."
Dougie added, "At a time when inflation is rising above
4% to offer 1% to members delivering essential front-line services
is completely unacceptable. Many of our members are low paid,
yet the employers rejected a call from the trade unions to redistribute
the offer in favour of the low paid."
The offer of a multi year deal flies in the face of the Government's
Public Sector Pay Policy which advocates single year deals. "The
only case for a multi year deal is political expediency,"
said Dougie. "Our members will not stand back and accept
such an offer just so that our politicians can ensure that pay
is not an issue during parliamentary and local elections next
year or the year after," he warned.
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Update April 2010
New offer ties council staff to pay
freeze next year as part of 3 year deal
In the most recent development of this year's pay claim, CoSLA
has made a three year pay offer incorporating 1% this year, a
pay freeze next year and 0.5% in the third year. They have been
unwilling to negotiate further.
This falls far short of the joint union claim for a one-year
rise of 3% or £600 (whichever is the greater) with a significant
underpinning for the low paid - including a claim for all workers
to be paid a living wage of at least £7.00 per hour.
Dougie Black, UNISON Regional Organiser, and Lead Negotiator
said. "Despite the fact that CoSLA have already agreed to pay
teaching staff 2.4% and their senior managers 2.5% this year,
as part of multi-year deals, it appears that the value that they
put on the main group of staff who deliver their services is a
lot less. These staff include the lowest paid in Scottish Local
Government. They are being offered a paltry 1% this year, but
worse, will be tied into a pay freeze next year whatever happens
to the economy. This is another slap in the face."
Dougie added, "At a time when inflation is rising above
4% to offer 1% to members delivering essential front-line services
is completely unacceptable. Many of these members are low paid,
yet the employers rejected a call from the trade unions to redistribute
the offer in favour of the low paid."
The offer of a multi year deal flies in the face of the Government's
Public Sector Pay Policy which advocates single year deals. "The
only case for a multi year deal is political expediency,"
said Dougie. "Our members will not stand back and accept
such an offer just so that our politicians can ensure that pay
is not an issue during parliamentary and local elections next
year or the year after," he warned.
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Update Feb 2010
Union fury at slap in face for low
paid
At a meeting on 24th Feb 2010, the pay claim submitted by the
Joint Trade Unions on behalf of members in Local Government, was
simply dismissed by the employers' organisation, CoSLA, without
any negotiations.
The claim is for a one-year rise of 3% or £600 (whichever
is the greater) with a significant underpinning for the low paid
– including a claim for all workers to be paid a living wage of
at least £7.00 per hour.
Unions representing around 150,000 Scottish Council staff, reacted
with anger at the employers' high-handed dismissal of their pay
claim.
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| Dougie Black |
Dougie Black, UNISON Regional Organiser, and Lead Negotiator
said. “Despite the fact that CoSLA have already agreed to pay
teaching staff 2.4% and their senior managers 2.5% this year,
as part of multi-year deals, it appears that the value that they
put on the main group of staff who deliver their services is nothing.
These staff include the lowest paid in Scottish Local Government.
For them it is a slap in the face.”
The unions are also angry that the employers chose not to address
the detail of the trade unions’ claim but simply dismissed it
in its entirety.
Dougie said “Just as the rejection of our claim shows how little
councils value their staff, the brusque and dismissive treatment
of the negotiators is further proof of the lack of understanding
that these employers have. It is similar to the treatment that
lords offered to their serfs.”
Despite many authorities, including our own, making provision
for pay for council staff this year they now appear to want to
backtrack on this and leave our members high and dry.
Further talks have been offered by the employers, and the unions
will now consult with their branches and consider if there is
any likelihood of serious negotiations.
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Update Nov 2009
Joint unions submit pay claim for next
year and call for fair treatment for low paid council staff
UNISON and the other unions representing Scottish local council
workers, submitted our claim for an annual pay rise at the annual
meeting of the negotiating body, The Scottish Joint Council in
Edinburgh, on 25th November.
This claim is for the period starting in April 2010. when the
current agreement ceases. The claim is for a one-year rise
of 3% or £600 (whichever is the greater) with a significant underpinning
for the low paid – including a claim for all workers to be paid
a living wage of at least £7.00 per hour.
UNISON Regional Officer and lead negotiator, Dougie Black, said
“This claim is simply an attempt by our members, who include the
lowest paid of Scotland’s council workers, to maintain their standard
of living in the teeth of what is predicted to be increasing inflationary
pressures.
"The RPI is forecast to steadily rise to 2.6% in the 1st
quarter of 2010 before reaching 3.1% in the second quarter of
2010, and we have already experienced the fact that increases
in inflation – especially in basic necessities like food and fuel
– impact particularly hard on low-paid members.
UNISON calls for low-paid staff to be treated fairly.
 |
| Stephanie Herd |
Stephanie Herd – Chair of UNISON’s Local Government Group said
“Local councils have already agreed to pay their chief officials
2.5% over this period, and teaching staff 2.4%. It would be invidious
if our political leaders now try to make the lowest paid staff
pay for the economic crisis. Bankers and fat cats in the city
get help – it is time for hard-pressed public service workers
to get that help.”
"Our members in Scotland’s local councils have already delivered
around £200 m worth of efficiency savings with a loss of around
7,000 jobs. It is only fair that councils should share these efficiency
savings with staff as well as with council tax payers.”
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Update Sept 2009
UNISON determines pay claim
Following an extensive review of the 2009 pay campaign and consultation
with all relevant branches, the Scottish Local Government Conference
agreed at its meeting in Sept 2009 that the 2010 pay claim should
take account of the following:
1. The claim should only cover the period 1st April 2010 to 31
March 2011.
2. The claim should seek a percentage increase of 3%.
3. In making this claim UNISON should also consider weighting
such a claim to favour lower paid members.
4. The claim should also contain a recommended minimum wage claim
of £7.45 per hour in line with the supporting evidence submitted
to the Low Pay Commission.
5. There was no clear indicator or majority view on any terms
and conditions that should be included in the claim therefore
for the period of this claim no terms and conditions should be
included.
6. The claim should also seek a statement from the employers
that any salary increase should also be applied to Community and
Voluntary Sector organisations, where Local Authorities fund staffing
costs.
This claim has since been issued to the other trade unions
for comment and consultation with a view to agreeing a joint claim
for submission to our employers in November 2009.
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