Public sector pay threats intensify

By Chris Bartter

Attempts by some members of the media and big business interests to take advantage of the current economic turmoil to attack public service workers, have unfortunately been picked up by Scottish politicians.

John Swinney MSP has issued the Scottish Government’s Pay Guidance which sets the basic limit for pay rises in the sector directly controlled by the government at 1.5%, with a maximum total pay bill increase of 3%.

There is some additional flexibility, both in the bargaining arrangements and in the ability to use some non-cash incentives, but Scottish Organiser Dave Watson said: “Elements within this package are welcome but a 1.5% limit is disappointing for low paid public service workers particularly when the Consumer Price Index is running at around 3%.

“We are also disappointed that the Government has failed to radically reform the bargaining structures despite the evidence of its failings that we have raised.”

However, Glasgow City Council Treasurer, Cllr Gordon Matheson has gone further. Despite all the evidence on the negative impact pay cuts have on the economy and in apparent ignorance of the many agreements in the Scottish public sector that take pay deals into future years, he has demanded that the Scottish Government freezes public sector pay!

Scottish Secretary, Matt Smith, has robustly defended public service staff pay in the press and on radio. “All local government staff including teachers, police and chief officials are in the middle of multi-year deals - deals that the employers insisted on.”

He said: “Other public service staff - like healthcare workers also have agreed multi-year deals that Labour Government Minister Alan Johnson MP has publicly guaranteed.”

Matt Smith also condemned the idea that a pay freeze for public service workers was appropriate during a recession: “To cut staff pay in a recession simply further deepens that recession, as people have less money to purchase goods and services.

“Is Councillor Matheson seriously suggesting he wants to further depress demand in Glasgow and the rest of Scotland?”

But the seriousness of these threats lie not in the individual actions, but in the way that these fit into the general attacks on the public sector - pay, pensions and services are all in the front line - and members can rely on UNISON to use our resources to defend those essentials.

Matt Smith again: “During a recession is the last time to cut back on the public sector. As the demand for our services grows, the importance of our contribution to the economy - both as individuals and as institutions - becomes more vital.”

Members need to use the resources provided by UNISON to challenge media comments - there is already information on campaigning in the local government section of the website www.unison-scotland.org.uk/localgovt and the main arguments can be found in the initial version of our ‘Public Works’ campaign document. www.unison-scotland.org.uk/labourlink/ publicworks5march.pdf

It is also vital that non-members are encouraged to join UNISON - so we can have the maximum impact in defending our services and those who deliver them.

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