Scottish strikes suspended after ‘credible’ offer

Council workers in waste and education services had been set to go on strike again from 6-13 September over pay.

However, talks on Friday involving the unions, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, proved productive. Union members are now set to vote on the offer.

COSLA is the SNP-led umbrella group representing Scotland’s 32 councils. Cllr Katie Hagmann, COSLA’s resources spokesperson, thanked the trade unions for the “constructive discussions”. She said the revised offer showed that Scotland’s council leaders had listened to the concerns of the workforce.

Speaking on Friday, she added: “Council leaders have said consistently throughout these negotiations that we very much value and are grateful to the local government workforce.

“We have sent letters to our union colleagues following today’s meeting and hope that this enables strike action to be suspended and allows our workforce to get back to doing what they do best: delivering high-quality essential services for the people within our communities right across Scotland.”

Edinburgh’s streets were branded a “disgrace” after an early wave of industrial action hit the capital during its annual Festival Fringe at the end of August (see letsrecycle.com story).

Offer

Based on a 36-hour week, COSLA’s offer consists of an increase of £2,000 for those earning up to £20,500, an increase of £1,925 for those earning between £20,500 and £39,000, a 5% increase for those earning between £39,000 and £60,000 and a maximum increase of £3,000 for those earning more than £60,000.

It also sees the removal of social care registration fees “where applicable” and an extra day of annual leave.

‘Not perfect’

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland’s senior organiser for public services, said his union had been “very clear” that more needed to be done for the lowest paid in local government. He said the offer delivered a “significant amount” of consolidated money for these workers, including the frontline refuse staff.

Ultimately our members whose campaigning and strike actions have improved these terms will have the final say

– Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland

“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,” he added.

Johanna Baxter, Unison’s head of local government, said the offer represented a “victory”. “It has taken eight months and the industrial might of Unison members in schools and early years and waste and recycling workers to drag £600m out of Scottish government and COSLA and into the pockets of hardworking people,” she said.

Wendy Dunsmore, Unite’s lead negotiator for local government, welcomed the offer. She said: “After the latest round of intensive talks a new credible offer has finally been put on the table by COSLA. Unite wants to acknowledge the First Minister’s direct involvement as a primary reason for the breakthrough.”