Strike threat ramps up as union members reject local government pay deal
Unite union members have voted to reject the latest pay offer from Cosla for local government workers, increasing the threat of industrial action.
The union’s local authority membership voted by 55% to 45% to reject the deal in a consultative ballot.
Unite’s local authority committee had recommended a rejection of the pay offer, which would give a 3.5% rise this year for those earning under £80,000, with 3% increases next year and in 2020 for all staff.
The union warned the next steps could result in strike action and it plans to hold a meeting to discuss further moves.
The committee is concerned the deal does not include a “trigger clause” to reopen talks if Brexit leads to a rise in inflation.
It also said it fails to restore local authority workers to the levels of real terms pay from 10 years ago.
Wendy Dunsmore, Unite industrial officer, said: “This result is a clear indication that our members remain unhappy with Cosla’s offer.
“Our members have suffered pay freezes followed by real terms cuts for far too long.
“This has impacted most on the lowest paid workers across the councils.
“Cosla will need to dig a bit deeper if we are to avoid industrial action.”
Unite members working in Scotland’s local authorities have voted to reject the revised pay offer put to them by Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), the body that represents councils in Scotland. pic.twitter.com/Zz8nYDVpXo
— Unite Scotland (@UniteScotland) January 30, 2019
Unite’s local authority members previously voted by 73% to reject a previous £350 million, 3% pay offer in October, arguing they were being offered less than teachers.
A Cosla spokesman said: “We are disappointed with this result.
“We as employers have nowhere left to go.
“Strike action is not in the interests of anyone.”
A ballot on the same deal for Unite craft members working across Scotland’s local authorities will close on February 4.
