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Fri 3 Jan 2003
UNISON welcomes 4% pay rise for Scotland's local government workers
in 2003
Scotland's largest local government union today welcomed the final
part of the four-year pay deal that settled the bitter five-month
local government pay dispute in 2001, after a series of one-day
and indefinite selective action by UNISON members.
The last annual settlement of 4% is due to be paid later this year,
and work will begin to draw up a claim for future pay.
UNISON's Scottish Organiser for local government, Joe Di Paola
said "As the years have moved on, it has become clearer what a very
good deal UNISON members won in 2001. They took the first step to
tackle low pay in local services with last year's £500 rise. That
took the lowest wage above £5 per hour for the first time, and now
the final piece of the jigsaw is due to fit into place. The 4% rate
form April this year will take the lowest paid of Scotland's local
service providers above £10,000 a year (or £5.20+ an hour) for the
first time."
The four-year deal negotiated in guaranteed inflation-plus pay
awards giving an average 14.1% increase to Scottish Council staff
for the years 2000 -2004. The overall pay rises ranged from 16.37%
at the bottom of the scales to 11.29% at the top.
The union, who represent two-thirds of Scottish local government
workers, was claiming 5% or £500 for 2000's pay rise, plus a minimum
wage of £5 per hour. They rejected both CoSLA's original 2.5% offer
and a new 6.1% two-year deal, during the course of a dispute that
lasted over 5 months in 2000-2001.
Once the 4% has been paid, the union will start work drawing up
a claim for future pay settlements. Joe Di Paola said "Whilst this
was a good deal we cannot be complacent. We are only too aware of
the problems that local councils are having attracting staff in
many services. Fair and attractive pay can play its part in delivering
the resources needed to provide the service that Scotland deserves."
ENDS
Note: UNISONScotland is Scotland's largest local government trade
union with around 150,000 members, approximately two thirds of whom
are women.
For Further Information Please Contact: Joe Di Paola (Scottish
Org - Local Government)07990 505698 (m) Chris Bartter (Communications
Officer) 0771 558 3729(m)
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