GIVE US THE MONEY
Union warns of walkout if pay demand isn’t met
Binmen, carers and school cleaners could walk out if demands for a pay rise are denied.
GMB Scotland says members could snub a below-inflation offer if it is tabled after summer talks with council umbrella group Cosla.
The trade union voted to accept a one per cent deal after for the coming year after months of talks, but it says a repeat offer for the next 12 months will be met with fury.
Bosses insist “consecutive realterms cuts” could spark industrial action.
Tony Dowling, GMB Scotland senior organiser, backed the decision to accept the 2017/ 18 increase, despite staunch opposition from other unions.
He said: “We can’t stand by and let the lowest paid get hit hard by the possibility of employers imposing one per cent across the board, their stated position in the event of a rejection of the last offer.
“The deal on the table is not perfect, but it will help ease the pay pressure on occupations like home carers, school cleaners and caterers, who have struggled at the coal-face of the austerity agenda for the last decade.
“After prolonged negotiations, we believe this is the best achievable deal without entering into what would be a very difficult industrial action and this is reflected in its acceptance by well over two-thirds of our members.
“There should be no delay on pay.
“It’s no time to play fast and loose with people’s livelihoods and the deal needs to be implemented across all councils and arms-length bodies to avoid the prospect of a damaging pay cut.”
Last month, GMB members across local government voted by a majority of 69 per cent to accept a flat payment of £350 for workers earning below £35,000 each year.
Those earning above the threshold will receive a one per cent raise, lifting the earnings of the lowest paid in councils by just 18 pence an hour.
Unison – the biggest local government trade union in the region, with around 3,000 members – hit out at the decision, with members of the union balloting for strike action.
It slammed the offer, warning it had been outstripped by inflation, putting pressure on families.
Mark Ferguson, Unison’s Renfrewshire branch secretary, says council workers, including dinner ladies, librarians, street cleaners, bus drivers, janitors, crossing guards and wardens are struggling to feed their children.
He said: “The cost of food, gas and electricity, travel and childcare continue to rise and, as a consequence, their living standards have been severely eroded.
“This cannot continue.”