Council workers issue strike threat over pay

Council workers in Scotland could go on strike after the GMB union rejected the 2018 pay offer from local authorities body COSLA.

Workers were offered a three per cent pay rise in line with a pledge from the Scottish Government last year, with those earning over £36,501 offered a two per cent rise.

In a ballot, 92 per cent of GMB members voted against the offer, the union announced, warning it would now press ahead with plans for industrial action.

GMB’s 30,000 local government members include home carers, school cleaners, pupil support assistants, roads and maintenance, and refuse staff.

Senior Organiser Drew Duffy said the offer was “blatantly unfair and unacceptable” and claimed the Scottish Government’s three per cent pledge didn’t protect the lowest paid.

“We have been saying for months that the Scottish Government’s public pay policy must do more for the lowest paid after a decade of real terms cuts and freezes to our members pay and conditions,” he said.

“Left unchallenged, the COSLA offer will increase the pay of the highest grades in local government by £1,600, while staff on the lowest grades will get between £250 and £600.

“It begs the question: Do COSLA and the Scottish Government really think that a council chief executive is worth £1,000 more than a home care worker, bin collector or school cleaner?

“Our trade union doesn’t think so but Derek Mackay thinks this offer gives council workers ‘equal value’. He should look at the scale of this rejection and consider that the reality on the ground is very different than the view from the political bubble.”

COSLA said the decision was “disappointing” but talks would continue to reach a deal.