Council unions hoping for delayed pay offer

The pay offer would cover virtually all Scottish council workers apart from teachers.

The people affected would range from office staff to refuse collectors and from librarians to school catering staff.

Three main unions are involved in pay negotiations with councils – Unison, Unite and the GMB.

The indications are that the pay rise on offer will be in the region of 2% – or 39p an hour for the lowest paid.

However, councils have indicated they may be able to offer more if the increase is tied to other employment matters.

It seems likely though that the offer will be well below the hopes of the three unions.

They want an offer which keeps up with the rises in the cost of living since April last year.

Unison Scotland’s local government committee chair, Colette Hunter, said: “Council staff should have received a cost of living pay rise last month. But the offer is miles away from the level staff deserve.

“There seems no other option but to begin strike ballots. Workers aren’t willing to put up with long delays.

“Council waste and recycling staff will receive official strike ballots through the post very soon. Unless Cosla comes up with a fair pay offer it looks like strikes will be going ahead.”