COSLA hits out at Union reaction to pay deal

While some strikes taking place over the last fortnight come to an end this week, plans are already in place for more to take place next week unless a deal over pay and conditions can be struck.

The SNP-led Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) explained that its offer this weekend was “an overall package worth half a billion pounds, giving 5% to all staff plus an additional cost of living payment to our lowest paid employees”.

Under this offer, based on a 37-hour week no staff member will get less than an additional £1925 a year, with those earning under £20,500 at least a £2,000 pay increase – for this and also next year, COSLA added.

According to COSLA, councils continue to strive to lead the way in pushing up minimum rates of pay and are including an extra day’s annual leave this year.

Unions however are asking for a £3,000 rise for all workers and have said action will not be suspended will the offer is voted on.

‘Affordability’

Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA’s resources spokesperson, commented: “Council leaders have said consistently throughout these negotiations that we absolutely value and are grateful to all of our local government workforce.

“It is for this reason that we as employers have done everything possible to put the best offer we can to our workforce. But we are now at the absolute extremes of affordability, and this is already an offer which is stretching our already stretched finances like never before.
“This year’s offer is significantly better and different to previous offers and would have helped to support our council workforces across the country at this difficult time.”

Cllr Hagmann added that COSLA was disappointed that trade unions will not suspend planned strike action whilst they put this offer to members to allow workers to get back to delivering services, describing the proposed offer as “as good as it gets”.

Edinburgh

The city of Edinburgh council announced its waste and cleansing services will resume from today (30 August). This includes all services apart from glass collections, which remain suspended to prioritise resources.

Additional council teams are to be helping with collections. Household waste and recycling centres are also reopening from today with extended hours, with bookings to be made online as normal.

Residents are advised to put their bins out as normal on their scheduled collection day, with extra waste which will be collected as well “if bagged and put next to wheelie or communal bins”.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I regret the impact this national crisis has had on our capital city and am continuing to press the Scottish Government to fund an acceptable settlement. Talks are continuing over the weekend and I’m hopeful we can reach agreement and prevent any further disruption.

“This dispute has brought the value of our waste and cleansing teams – and their right to fair wage – into sharp focus and I’m delighted they’ll be back out from Tuesday, helping to return our city to its best.”

If an agreement is not reached, further strike action is expected from 6 and 14 September. In Aberdeen, strike action is to last until 1 September and also restart from 6 to 14 September.

Glasgow

Similarly, Glasgow will see on-going strike action end on 1 September, with the second phase set to begin on the 6 September and finish a week later.

The council informed its residents that household bin collections, street cleansing, emptying of public bins and HWRCs are being “seriously affected” along with parks and roads maintenance.