Mon 20 October 2008

Industrial action ballot starts in Scottish Water

Over 1,000 Scottish Water employees will start to receive ballot papers tomorrow (Tuesday) asking them if they are prepared to take action to overturn Scottish Water's decision to unilaterally impose a pay award on their staff.

The ballot which will ask members to vote for both strike action, and action short of a strike, starts with papers being issued today (Tuesday 21 October) and closes on the 10 November.

Scottish Water breached 6 years of partnership working with its staff in order to impose a 15 month pay rise of 3% (which equates to an annual offer of 2.4%).

Branch Secretary, Steve Scott said, "This pay cut is simply not acceptable when inflation is rising - recently reaching 5.2% - energy prices are rising by anything up to 30% and food by 11%."

Dougie Black, Regional Organiser said, "Scottish Water know that they have the money to pay a reasonable increase. They claim to be acting at the behest of the Scottish Government who want to restrict public sector increases to 2% in line with Westminster. They have an opportunity while the ballot takes place to convince the government to untie their hands."

The other trade unions are also balloting their members in Scottish Water over a similar timescale to co-ordinate the industrial action campaign.

ENDS

For Further Information Please Contact: Dougie Black (Regional Organiser) - 07958 121 851 (m) Steve Scott (Branch Secretary) - 07875 879 388 (m) Chris Bartter (Communications officer - 07715 583 729 (m)

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