Council strikes off as new offer tabled
Wage deal gets union green light
COUNCIL strikes have been called off after a new pay offer for school and bin workers was tabled.
The Unison, GMB and Unite trade unions have recommended the offer after talks chaired by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Schools were set to close next week after an earlier round of industrial action. Council umbrella group Cosla has been in dispute with the unions over pay but the local authority group made a revised offer yesterday.
Under the plan, workers earning up to £20,500 will receive increases of £2000 a year.
There will be a £1925 increase for those earning between £20,500 and £39,000, as well as a five per cent increase for those earning between £39,000 to £60,000.
Those earning in excess of £60,000 will have a maximum increase of £3000. All three unions have recommended their members accept the offer and it will now go out for consultation.
Johanna Baxter, Unison’s head of local government said: “This offer is a victory for Unison members.
“It has taken eight months and the industrial might of Unison members in schools and early years and waste and recycling workers to drag £600million out of Scottish Government and Cosla, into the pockets of hard-working people.”
Wendy Dunsmore, Unite’s lead negotiator for local government, added: “Unite wants to acknowledge the First Minister’s direct involvement as a primary reason for the breakthrough.”
GMB Scotland’s Keir Greenaway said: “GMB has been very clear that more must be done for the lowest paid in local government and this latest offer delivers a significant amount of consolidated money for these workers.”
Katie Hagmann, of Cosla, said: “The revised offer made shows that Scotland’s council leaders have listened to the concerns of our workforce and have responded positively.”
SNP MSP Paul McLennan said: “Everyone will be delighted to see a fair pay deal within reach for council workers.”