Council workers face prospect of strikes

Many West Lothian Council workers could be set to strike in a row over wages.

On Monday the GMB union said a two per cent offer will “turn crisis into catastrophe” for lowest paid workers, which include West Lothian catering staff, bin men and cleaners – and members would be balloted over taking strike action.

And just hours later Unite confirmed it has served notice to all 32 Scottish local authorities that strike ballots are imminent in an escalating pay dispute.

GMB sent statutory notice to COSLA chiefs that an industrial action ballot of all members in schools and early years and waste and cleansing services across local government will run from Monday, June 6 until Tuesday, July 26.

Meanwhile, Unite confirmed that it will ballot thousands of its members in schools and cleansing. The ballot will open on June 10 and close on July 26.

If the ballot for industrial action is successful then strike action could begin in August at the beginning of the new school term.

The ballots are in response to COSLA’s two per cent pay offer against all local government pay grades for 2022/23, which the unions say would equate to massive real terms pay cuts for frontline workers and disproportionately award the biggest increases to the highest earners in councils.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite will now ballot thousands of our members across every one of Scotland’s 32 local authorities.

“The last offer on the table from the employer was a pathetic two per cent.

When the broader cost of living has now hit 11.1 per cent, this is a huge pay cut and simply not acceptable when workers face punishing living costs.

“Our members are not putting up with this and they will have their union’s full support in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions in local government.”

GMB Scotland senior organiser Keir Greenaway warned: “Tens of thousands of the lowest paid staff in local government will go from the frontline of public service delivery to below the breadline unless their pay confronts soaring inflation and eye-watering energy bills.

“But instead of recognising the scale of the challenge and rising to meet it, political leaders are sleeping at the wheel and blaming each other for their inability to address it – it’s a far cry from their doorstep applause every Thursday night only two years ago.

“Let’s be clear. A pay rise of just two per cent for the workers earning under £25,000 a year is worth no more than a tenner a week. It will turn a crisis into a catastrophe for many working families and there is no trade union worth its salt that would leave that unchallenged.

“Unless COSLA comes back to the negotiating table with a vastly improved offer that reflects the fact our members are working in the biggest of cost-of-living crisis in 40 years then industrial action looks inevitable.”

A WLC spokesperson said the local authority is waiting on the outcome of both ballots before taking any steps.

He continued: “We are aware that a ballot of GMB members in local government may impact on council services, particularly in schools, early years, waste and cleansing services. We will await the outcome of the ballot.”