Bin strikes called off after union talks

Waste worker walk-outs have been called off by two of Scotland's largest unions as members vote on a renewed pay offer.

Three of Scotland's biggest trade unions – GMB, Unison and Unite – announced that their members would strike after rejecting a pay deal from council bosses.

As many as 26 of the country's 32 regions were to be affected by eight days of industrial action.

Now all three unions have suspended the strikes as "a gesture of goodwill" while members consider whether to accept the new deal.

The Cosla offer would see a 3.6 per cent uplift for all grades, with a rise of £1,292 for the lowest paid workers, which is equivalent to 5.6 per cent.

Graham McNab, Unite’s lead negotiator for local government, said: “Unite members across all of Scotland’s councils should be applauded for standing firm. They have remained resolute in an effort to secure a fairer and better pay offer.

"We believe that the new pay offer is credible. For the first time in years, it will mean all council workers receiving an above-inflation increase."

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser in public services, said: "This offer is a significant improvement on what came before but our members will decide if it is acceptable.

"It is better than that offered to council staff in England and Wales, would mean every worker receives a rise higher than the Retail Price Index and, importantly, is weighted to ensure frontline workers gain most.

"As a gesture of goodwill, we will suspend action until our members can vote on the offer.

"It should never have got to this stage, however, and Scotland’s council leaders have again shown an absolute lack of urgency or sense of realism.

"For months, we have been forced to waste time discussing a series of low-ball offers when it was already clear the Scottish Government needed to be at the table.

"The obvious reluctance of some council leaders to approach ministers has only caused needless uncertainty and threatened disruption." 

Councils body Cosla previously offered staff a rise of 3.2 per cent and the new offer comes after the Scottish Government provided extra funds.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said the deal was at the "absolute limit of affordability".

Unison said it was recommending its member reject the current offer. The union is also balloting members working in schools.

David O’Connor, Unison's Scotland local government lead, said: "Unison has suspended recycling and street cleansing strikes while staff are consulted on Cosla’s latest offer.

​"Unison's view is that it’s still not enough. Council staff have seen the value of their pay reduced by 25 per cent over the past 14 years and any pay deal needs to do more to reverse this."

Robison said "painful choices", including cuts to some budgets, had been made to fund the offer: "We value this vital workforce and I welcome the fact that members will now be able to consider this strong pay offer which was reached following a strategic intervention from the Scottish Government.

"It has paused the prospect of costly industrial action this week which would have impacted businesses and communities across Scotland.

"Our swift action to ensure this strong offer could be made has been taken against an extremely challenging financial landscape and – while fair – represents the absolute limit of affordability.

“In order to fund the offer, we will have to move money from elsewhere in the budget and reduce funding for other programmes. We are taking on significant, additional financial pressure and have been clear painful choices have had to be made to fund this pay deal.

"The offer will provide an above inflation pay increase for all and support the lowest paid. I am pleased it is now with the workforce for their close consideration and would urge members to strongly consider this significantly improved envelope."