Scottish local government workers will be balloted on a final pay offer from councils after a Glasgow meeting of UNISON branch delegates on 15 March decides on any recommendation on the 1% offer from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
UNISON’s Dougie Black, the joint trade union side secretary, said unions had wanted to negotiate to improve the offer, but employers had made it clear this was their final offer.
It has two parts – a 1% increase for all staff and a Scottish local government living wage, set at £7.50 per hour. The offer is for a single year, applicable from 1 April 2013.
“We welcome the fact that the employers have finally gone some way to addressing low pay by the introduction of a living wage,” said Mr Black. “This has been a key component of our pay claims for the last few years.
“However, we are disappointed at the level of the offer at 1%.
“This has to be seen in the context of local government workers only having seen their pay increase by 0.65% over the last three years, while many other public sector workers earning under £21,000 have received an annual payment of £250.
“And of course the cost of living has gone up, with big energy and food price increases.”
UNISON is also concerned that COSLA has not promised to increase the living wage each year leaving that to individual councils.
The union will continue to pursue this.
