Date: Thurs 15 August 2013

Unions prepare for industrial action at Stirling Council

UNISON Stirling Council Branch, along with the other trade unions at the local authority, are preparing for industrial action following a rejection of the Council's final proposals for "draconian" cuts in pay and conditions.

UNISON Branch secretary James Douglas said: "The Council met with us today but we are unclear why as they made it clear within a few minutes that they were not prepared to change anything." 

David O'Connor Regional Organiser for UNISON said:
"What the employer is effectively proposing is a 4.5% pay cut for the majority of employees."The Chief Executive's offer for staff to work the equivalent of an extra seven days to reduce the pay cut to 1.5% does not detract from the fact the proposed cuts are nothing less than draconian."

UNISON's Branch Chair Lesley Russell said:
"We are disappointed that there has been no further progress and it  would appear that the Council have no interest in resolving this matter and have paid lip service to the whole collective bargaining process."

James Douglas added:
"The negotiating team were called to a meeting earlier this week to set out our concerns. However it is clear that all of these have been ignored therefore UNISON has been left with no option but to formally notify the Council of its intent to take industrial action."

Note for Editor

Scottish local government workers have faced a pay freeze for the past three years, equivalent in real terms to a 13% pay cut.

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