New COSLA pay offer sees strikes suspended
UNISON, Unite and the GMB unions have announced they are suspending strike action next week following a new pay offer from COSLA.
Last updated 2nd Sep 2022
UNISON, Unite and the GMB unions have announced they are suspending strike action next week following a new pay offer from COSLA.
Local government leaders have submitted the revised pay offer to unions in an industrial dispute which has seen rubbish pile up in Scottish city centres.
The offer consists of:
• An increase of £2000 for those earning up to £20,500
• An increase of £1925 for those earning between £20,500 to £39,000
• A 5% increase for those earning between £39,000 to £60,000
• A maximum increase of £3k for those earning above £60,000
• The removal of SSSC fees where application (social care registration fees)
• 1 extra days annual leave
• All increases based on a 36hr week calculator
'Constructive discussions'
Three union sticking points were overcome late last night with the First Minister. The first is that the pay envelope has been increased to £600m, second that the pay increases will be fully consolidated from the date of implementation and the calculations will be based on 36-hour week (rather 37hr wk).
Cosla leaders met on Friday morning to finalise the terms of the new deal.
Rubbish bins overflowing in the Grassmarket due to industrial action by Edinburgh council workers.
An overflowing bin can be seen outside the Waverley Market next to the station.
Rubbish pilling up in residential streets in Gorgie.
Tourists walk past overflowing bins, at the height of festival season in the Capital.
The sixth day of the Waste Service Strike has led to central Edinburgh becoming an unsanitary mess.
Rubbish bins overflowing outside Edinburgh Waverley.
Rubbish pilling up in residential streets in Gorgie.
Bins overflowing with rubbish are being taped up as they begin to overflow with waste, at the height of festival season.
Katie Hagmann, resources spokesman for local authority body Cosla, thanked trade unions for "constructive discussions".
She added: "The revised offer made shows that Scotland's council leaders have listened to the concerns of our workforce and have responded positively.
"Council leaders have said consistently throughout these negotiations that we very much value and are grateful to the local government workforce.
"We have sent letters to our union colleagues following today's meeting and hope that this enables strike action to be suspended, and allows our workforce to get back to doing what they do best, delivering high quality essential services for the people within our communities right across Scotland."
Offer is a 'victory' for unions
Johanna Baxter, UNISON head of local government said: “This offer is a victory for UNISON members. It has taken 8 months and the industrial might of UNISON members in schools and early years and waste and recycling workers to drag £600m out of Scottish government and COSLA and into the pockets hardworking people.
"COSLA originally offered 2%, then 3.5%, then 5% - we now we have £600m on the table, which is a 7.5% increase to the total pay bill and 87% of our council workers will receive fully consolidated increases between 5% to 10%.
"UNISON want to get this money into the pockets of council workers now while we continue the campaign to support people through the cost of living crisis,
"It is only through the collective action of our members in school and early years staff threatening strike action and our waste and recycling workers taking action that we have forced these extra funds out of government and the employer.
"Our member’s message was clear and unequivocal – UNISON’s local government members are no longer prepared to be treated as the poor relations of the public sector. They will stand up, speak up and organise to win change together. There is always more to do but this is a welcome step in the right direction.”
Mark Ferguson, chair of UNISON Scotland local government committee said: “Do not underestimate the scale of the achievement for UNISON members. We have won significant increases from where we started 8 month ago. We have had to drag the employer to the table to even talk to us. This will go someway to help them through the cost of living crisis but by no means is the fight over. UNISON will now continue its campaign to improve pay and conditions for all workers in local government.”