Council restructure comes under fire as worker pay disputes continue
Labour Councillors say it's coming at the wrong time
An upcoming restructure within Dumfries & Galloway Council is coming under fire, with those at the top set to earn more money, as pay disputes with frontline school staff continue.
A 33 to 10 vote in favour of Council CEO Dawn Roberts' proposed changes took place at a meeting on the 4th of October, which will see the number of Chief Officers within the Council rise, as well as their salaries.
Local Labour Councillors have slammed the decision while strike action remains ongoing, as have the local branch of worker Union Unison.
Just two weeks ago frontline school staff across the region went on strike, with some claiming they need to work two jobs to afford any luxuries.
Questions are now being raised as to where money will come from for the restructure, if there’s no room to offer a rise to other workers.
Criticism is being voiced
Labour Councillor Archie Dryburgh says:
“The new Tory administration haven’t taken long to reveal their priorities-more six figure salary jobs for bosses, while the lowest paid workers are having to take strike action to avoid a real terms pay cut.
“Families across our region are facing a cost of living crisis, so local people will be appalled that the council plan to increase by 50% the number of bosses being paid over £100,000 a year.
“The extra management costs will mean even more cuts to other services at a time the council has a multimillion blackhole in its balance sheet.
“These plans have been pushed through by the Tory administration with the full support of SNP councillors with no meaningful consultation with Tarde Unions.
“That is a new low even by the SNPs standards and takes us back to Tory SNP coalitions that run the council for so long.
“The council should be focusing resources on frontline services not backroom bosses.”
The Council has been approached for comment.