Branches consulting on ‘kick in the teeth’ pay imposition

by Trisha Hamilton

UNISON branches are holding meetings and ballots of members that work for Scotland’s councils to establish the next step in the ongoing local government pay dispute.

The move follows COSLA’s decision this month to impose a three-year pay settlement of 0.65% in 2010/11 and 0% for the following two years, withdrawing its earlier offer put to trade unions in April. UNISON condemned the action and described the deal as a “kick in the teeth” to local government employees.

Stephanie Herd, Chair of UNISON’s Scottish Local Government Committee, said: “COSLA has misrepresented the unions’ negotiating position and has said they value employees, while kicking them in the teeth.

“Imposing a deal is not the way to do pay bargaining and is totally unfair to hard working local government workers across Scotland.

“UNISON has made the case that there is an alternative to the cuts agenda, an alternative that delivers the quality services Scotland needs, with decent pay and conditions for staff.”

UNISON has lodged a formal dispute against COSLA, claiming its actions are wholly unacceptable to trade unions.

Dougie Black, UNISON trade union side secretary and lead negotiator, said: “All three trade unions jointly sought talks with COSLA and these took place last month. We were prepared to negotiate with the employers on redistributing or reshaping the original offer but to no avail.

“COSLA had budgeted for 1% this year but have chosen to impose a lower figure than the Tory/Liberal Democrat coalition are prepared to pay public sector workers south of the border.

“It is contemptible that they say they value public service workers. They can’t possibly when they are reducing wages, taking an offer off the table and imposing something worth less.”

headlines . top