Local government pay deal snub

A union has voted to reject a £350 million local government pay deal and move towards industrial action.

Unite local government staff members voted by 73% in a consultative ballot to reject the revised pay deal from local authority umbrella body Cosla.

Of those who rejected the deal, 88% backed industrial action following the ballot.

A separate consultative ballot for the union’s local government craft members is due to close next Friday.

The union, along with the GMB and Unison, recommended members reject the recently revised pay deal from Cosla, arguing workers are being offered less than teachers.

They want pay parity across the local government workforce but Cosla said the offer of a 3% increase for those earning up to £80,000 puts staff on a par with those working in the NHS and other parts of the public sector.

Cosla warned any further increase would lead to cuts to jobs and services.

Ann Farrell, Unite Scotland’s local authority committee chairwoman, said the union will move towards a legal ballot and urge members to back industrial action.

Meanwhile, around 80,000 members of Unison are also being balloted.

The consultative ballot opened yesterday and will close on November 7.

Unison’s Johanna Baxter said: “Our local services are delivered by one team and if Cosla and the Scottish Government really value the contribution all their staff make they must ensure that everyone who works in local government gets a fair and decent pay rise.”

Cosla resources spokeswoman Gail Macgregor, said: “I am deeply disappointed that Unison are urging their membership to reject what is a very fair offer.”