GMB to delay pay claim again?

The overwhelming vote to accept the current two-year pay offer from Scottish local government branches awaits ratification from other unions on the negotiating body.

The offer (of 2.5% for this year and the same for next year) has been accepted by all UNISON's local government branches in the consultation exercise.

However, it is understood that the consultation exercise carried out by the GMB has arrived at a decision to reject the offer.

Carol Judge, UNISON's Scottish Organiser for Local Government said "There has been a clear endorsement by UNISON branches that the current offer was the best that was achievable by negotiation. However, it seems that the GMB has, once again, rejected the offer. We have always followed the practice of getting all the unions to sign up to this deal."

The previous pay negotiations were delayed by ? months by a similar rejection by the GMB in 2004. The third union in the negotiations (the Transport and General Workers) supported that rejection then. It is understood that they have this time agreed to accept the offer.

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