UNISON Scotland, the country’s largest union and representative of workers delivering public and related services, has warned that council staff strikes will see ‘waste piling up’ on the streets.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Finance Secretary Kate Forbes have been called to meet with the union and provide ‘immediate action’ over the local government pay dispute.
Last week, UNISON Scotland served notice to 31 Scottish local authorities and Tayside Contracts. As the union takes targeted strike action, groups of workers will be balloted – including those working in schools, nurseries and waste and recycling services.
The ballots will open on 10 June and close on 26 July. If the ballots for industrial action are successful, then strike action could begin in August.
In a letter to both Scottish Government ministers, UNISON Scotland and joint trade unions warned that an unresolved pay dispute will “close schools across the country and see waste piling up on the streets.”
In April, a consultative ballot conducted by UNISON Scotland revealed that ‘almost nine in ten workers are in favour of taking action’, with 89.8 per cent voting in favour of taking industrial action ‘up to and including strike action’.
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), offered staff a two per cent increase, but the union highlighted that the current state of inflation – ‘at a 40-year high and topping 11 per cent’ – would make this a ‘real-terms pay cut’.
According to the union, councils can avoid disruption to waste and recycling services and schools by improving the offer and giving workers ‘the proper pay rise they deserve’.
In November 2021, waste collectors and street cleaners across Scotland went on strike, supported by the GMB Union, following an unresolved dispute between the trade body and Glasgow City Council. Initially, strike action seemed to be averted with an offer by COSLA, but this was later rejected by GMB.
Johanna Baxter, UNISON head of local government, said: “People seem to have forgotten who kept our country going during the past few years – these workers are the ones who kept childcare hubs open so other key workers could get to work, they cared for our most vulnerable and buried our dead. They went above and beyond in service to our communities and deserve to be paid fairly.
“With over half of local government workers earning below £25k each year, low pay remains a significant issue that is seeing councils struggling to recruit into key service areas. As everyday living costs continue to rise, these workers are struggling financially to make ends meet.
“Not only do these dedicated local government workers deserve way better than a below-inflation pay offer, but there’s a service requirement to provide one if councils are to recruit and retain staff in key service areas.”
Mark Ferguson, Chair of UNISON Scotland’s local government committee, added: “It’s no wonder our local government workers feel undervalued. After years of declining pay and cuts to local government budgets, it’s time for COSLA and the Scottish Government to get round the table to ensure sufficient funding is available to give our local government workers the fair and decent pay rise they deserve.”
Get our weekly digest
resource.co article ai
How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.