4.2% for train drivers? Give US more cash too, say public sector staff

UNION leaders are set to exploit an increased pay offer to Scotland’s train drivers by demanding more cash from the Scottish Government for their own members.

They warn it is now open season on the SNP/Greens coalition after a surprise U-turn last week in wage talks between government-owned ScotRail and drivers’ union Aslef.

The rail workers have now been offered a pay deal of 4.2 per cent – up from 2.2 per cent – by ScotRail after widespread public anger and mounting political pressure following the axing of around 700 daily train services. But the increased pay offer is being seen as a new benchmark in 2022 pay talks as far as other unions are concerned.

Tomorrow, the GMB union, which represents nearly 10,000 council workers, will notify Cosla, the body representing Scotland’s local authorities, of its intention to ballot for industrial action in schools and early years services, as well as waste and cleansing operations.

A GMB spokesman said: ‘Industrial action looks inevitable unless Cosla significantly improves its offer. An increase that amounts to just a tenner a week more for the lowest paid workers simply isn’t credible or acceptable.’ Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers have already rejected a 2 per cent wage deal in the face of the worst cost of living crisis for decades that has seen inflation hit a 40-year high of 9 per cent.

ScotRail argued that since being nationalised last month, it was now bound by public sector pay policy but unions say their revised offer proves they can ‘go beyond when necessary’. Cosla intends to write to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Finance Secretary Kate Forbes this week to demand additional funds ahead of further union talks.

It comes after negotiations began last week between the government and unions representing NHS staff who jointly asked for a pay increase at least in line with inflation.

Last night, Seamus Searson, Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association general secretary, said ScotRail’s improved offer was a ‘step in the right direction’ and showed Ministers could ‘go beyond it when necessary’.

He added: ‘The Scottish Government’s public sector pay policy isn’t great. We’re short of teachers and we’re struggling to keep them – 3 or 4 per cent is not going to cut it with the teachers.’

Unite’s regional officer for local authorities Wendy Dunsmore said: ‘It is time to put funding where it matters.’

The EIS teaching union said: ‘The EIS submitted a pay claim of 10 per cent for this year, and we will continue to campaign on that basis.’

At the NASUWT teaching union, Scotland national official Mike Corbett said: ‘Our members are seeking a programme of pay restoration which will help them to weather the current financial storm and reflects the value, skill and importance of the work they do for children and young people.’

ScotRail’s improved offer came as a surprise even to Aslef, which said it had gone into last Thursday’s talks ‘in hope rather than expectation’, after branding the original offer ‘derisory’.

Meanwhile, the RMT union has also balloted members over strike action but will hold separate negotiations with ScotRail on Tuesday.

Yesterday, a Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We are providing a real terms increase of 6.3 per cent to local authority budgets this year. The Scottish Government is not involved in local government pay negotiations. Pay settlements for council workers – excluding teachers – are a matter for Cosla.’

‘A tenner a week more simply isn’t acceptable’