Improved pay offer for Scotland's council workers
5 percent pay deal may not be enough to stop strikes, warn unions
Council workers across Scotland have been offered a 5% pay rise following a special meeting with local authority leaders on Friday, but unions are warning it may not be enough to avert the threat of strikes across the country next week.
The offer will see the Scottish Government local government living wage increase to £10.50 per hour.
Local Government minister Shona Robison confirmed this will be funded with £140 million of additional cash from the Scottish Government.
It comes after cleansing workers in Edinburgh began an 11-day strike on Thursday after turning down an initial offer of 3%.
Workers at 18 other local authorities will begin a series of walk outs from Wednesday 24th following local votes by members of Unison, Unite and the GMB.
Pay offer falls short warn unions
COSLA resources spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann, said: "Following Leaders Special meeting on Friday, they have mandated me to move forward with our trade union partners on the basis of an offer that raises the overall value to 5% and in addition raises the Scottish Local Government Living Wage to £10.50.
"In doing so, leaders have reaffirmed the need for a discussion with Scottish Government on how they can support councils by providing flexibilities and long-term funding support. This will limit the risk to public services and the impact on communities."
But unions argue the offer is still not enough, emphasising that inflation is at a 40-year high.
Alison Maclean, Unite industrial officer, said: "It has taken COSLA over five months to make an offer which we can take to our members for consideration.
"While the 5% offer is an improvement, it is important to emphasise that it comes at a time when the broader retail price index has now hit a 40-year high at 12.3%.
"Unite's local government committee will urgently consider this latest offer. At this juncture the strikes for next week continue as planned."
Extra Scottish Government funding
Local Government Minister Shona Robison said the improved offer was a "welcome step forward".
She said: "This increased pay offer to local government workers is a welcome step forward and has been supported by the Scottish Government's commitment of an additional £140 million for council workers' pay on a recurring basis.
"Throughout discussions, despite ministers having no formal role in the pay negotiations between councils and their employees, we have sought to work collaboratively with COSLA while providing full transparency around our financial position.
"All areas of the public sector are having to make challenging savings to stay within existing budgets.
"The UK Government has provided no further funding for these pressures with last year's Spending Review not taking account of the levels of pay uplift needed or the wider effects of inflation. Nevertheless, we have sought to support a meaningful revised offer in the face of the cost emergency."
Unions to consider new offer
GMB Scotland senior organiser Keir Greenaway said: "The latest proposals will be considered by our local government committee, but the principle of a flat rate award is a key demand of the trade union pay claim.
"For any offer to be deemed worthy of our members full consultation the biggest cash increases must go to the lowest paid."