Branch support for lockdown legacy fight

Unison’s Stirling branch is backing the trade union’s new campaign seeking more recognition for local government workers.

‘Fighting Together Today For a Better Future Tomorrow’aims to recognise the efforts of local government workers and build a better future for them and the communities they serve.

The campaign calls for;

• Rewarding local government workers – a Covid-19 premium that recognises the vital service they provide to communities.

• Securing the long-term financial stability of local government with further investment to protect jobs and pay for the future.

• Shaping local government for the future including reviewing the job evaluation of those roles that have changed as a result of COVID. This is in addition to the call already made for a review of the care at home job evaluation that needs to take place following the SSSC qualification requirement they will face from September.

• Delivery of full consolidation of the living wage for all across Scotland as committed to through the last pay deal.

UNISON have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and COSLA asking them to sign up to the plan.

UNISON head of local government Johanna Baxter said“A one-off payment for a select few will not deliver for the many local government workers and the communities they serve. Only sustained long-term investment will protect jobs and deliver a lockdown legacy that reduces wage inequalities.”

UNISON Stirling branch secretary Lorraine Thomson added:“Members have responded heroically to the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis providing support to the most vulnerable in our communities, looking after children of key workers, collecting refuse and manning temporary body storage facilities for the deceased (to name but a few examples).

“Their extraordinary efforts and the critical value of the roles they perform deserve to be rewarded and need to be part of shaping the future.”