Council workers to be balloted in ‘biggest vote on strike action in years’

Scotland’s council workers will be balloted for strike action in what a union is calling the biggest vote of its kind in recent years.

Unison, the country’s largest trade union, will issue ballots on May 1 amid an ongoing dispute over pay.

It said a 3% offer made by local authority umbrella group Cosla was “pitiful”.

A consultation by the union previously found that more than 92% of its members were in favour of industrial action.

The union cites large council tax rises imposed by local authorities across the country as one reason why the 3% rise offered to workers is “effectively a wage cut”.

It said the offer came at a time when household budgets remain under pressure, with inflation, rent, council tax and energy bills all set to rise.

Unison, one of three unions representing council employees, said it represents 80,000 workers across Scotland’s 32 local authorities.

David O’Connor, Unison Scotland co-lead for local government, said: “This pay offer is at best a thinly veiled pay cut.

“After years of below-inflation pay awards, council wages have plummeted by a fifth.

“This pitiful offer only adds insult to injury to these essential workers.

“Council staff work tirelessly to keep local services running.

“They deserve better. A pay rise that leaves many people struggling financially won’t help local authorities hold onto their workforce.

“Cosla should think again and come back with an improved offer.”

Workers will have until June 12 to submit their ballots for industrial action.

Unison said it had asked for a 6.5% rise for all local government workers but received less than half of that.

The union’s local government chair, Susanne Gens, said Cosla’s offer was “simply not good enough”.

She added: “Energy bills are through the roof and rent and council tax are soaring. This inadequate pay offer forces council staff into impossible situations just to try to balance household bills.

“Council staff are essential to local communities, caring for the vulnerable, educating our children and maintaining essential services.

“This offer came just before the Scottish Government offered health workers 4.25%.

“Council staff are no less valuable and deserve a fair pay settlement that reflects the essential services they provide.”

A Cosla spokesperson said: “The current offer was made early in the negotiations process, as requested by our unions, and remains on the table.

“It’s the best possible offer within the funding we have available.”

The spokesperson said the offer, first made in February, was above the CPI rate of inflation at the time.

They added: “While we acknowledge the right to strike, strikes are in no one’s best interests and unsustainable increases in pay would result in cuts to services and higher taxes.

“We implore our unions to fully consult their members on the current pay offer rather than immediately seeking to escalate to damaging industrial action.”