Pay deal is ‘unfair’ to lowest earners
Trade unions hit out at public sector wages talks
Binmen, dinner ladies and carers should be given a fair pay rise, trade unions are demanding.
Unison has called on the Scottish Government to stump up extra cash to ensure staff are rewarded.
It comes after growing unrest among workers amid crunch salary talks.
Unison has joined forces with GMB and Unite to urge improved terms for those in public services.
Johanna Baxter, head of local government bargaining at Unison, is meeting with Finance Secretary Derek Mackay to discuss funds available.
She said: “Our members deliver for local communities up and down the land – all day, every day.
They are our bin collectors, our road sweepers, our early years workers and our home care assistants.
“The people who protect our most vulnerable and give us a decent place to live.
“They deserve a decent standard of living in return.
“If Derek Mackay really recognised the hard work and dedication of all public sector workers, he should put his money where his mouth is and find the cash needed to give them all a decent pay rise.”
A raise has been tabled by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), the umbrella organisation managing the interests of councils across Scotland.
Those earning between £36,501 and £80,000 could be given a two per cent boost.
Workers with the highest income – taking home more than the top figure – would get a £1,600 flat rate increase under the terms.
But the lowest earners could receive between just £250 and £600.
Drew Duffy, GMB’s senior organiser for public services, says there must be parity between staff.
He said: “Our priority is the defence of our members’ interests and the offer currently on the table is not good enough for the lowest paid workers in local government.
“We look forward to meeting Derek McKay and posing the tough questions on behalf of our members.
“They don’t think this offer is fair and don’t want to see the pay gap between the lowest paid and highest paid increase further.
“We expect the Scottish Government to work with the trade unions and provide a better settlement for Scottish council workers.”
As previously revealed in the Express, GMB had urged members to knock back the deal.
Bosses branded its terms “unfair and unacceptable” and warned it could ballot for industrial action. Mr Mackay responded to the claims saying: “I had a constructive meeting today with the joint trade unions who are an important partner in taking forward our vision, for a wealthier and fairer Scotland.
“However, local authority pay negotiations are rightly a matter for local authorities and the unions, and it is not for the Scottish Government to intervene.
“This year we are providing local authorities with a revenue funding increase of £174.9 million.
“Taken together with the extra £77 million that will be raised through the council tax, councils will have access to an additional £251.9 million which can be spent at their discretion, including pay increases for their staff.”
Workers deserve a decent standard of living