Strikes suspended as workers review offer


Strikes across Scotland have been suspended while unions consult on an improved pay offer from local authority employer COSLA (see last issue).

UNISON reports that the improvements include an increase of £2,000 for those earning up to £20,500; £1,925 for those earning between £20,500 to £39,000; a 5% increase for those earning between £39,000 and £60,000; and a maximum increase of £3,000 for those receiving above £60,000.

Johanna Baxter, head of local government in Scotland at the union, said: “COSLA originally offered 2%, then 3.5%, then 5%. Now we have £600 million on the table, which is a 7.5% increase to the total pay bill and 87% of our council workers will receive fully consolidated increases of between 5% to 10%.”

And the Unite union said that, following talks involving first minister Nicola Sturgeon, COSLA and the trade unions, a “credible” pay offer has been made. The union will hold a consultative ballot which it aims to complete by 22 September.

“We now have a credible offer which our local government representatives can recommend to the membership for acceptance,” Wendy Dunsmore, Unite’s lead negotiator for local government, confirmed.

And GMB Scotland senior organiser for public services Keir Greenaway added: “It’s not a perfect offer but it is the view of GMB Scotland’s local government committee that it’s worthy of members’ consultation and their acceptance, but ultimately our members whose campaigning and strike actions have improved these terms will have the final say.”

https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2022/09/strikes-called-off-after-improved-cosla-pay-offer

https://www.unitetheunion.org/news-events/news/2022/september/unite-confirms-new-credible-offer-put-to-trade-unions

https://www.gmb.org.uk/news/scotland-strikes-suspended-members-vote-improved-pay-offer