Local government staff are being balloted on a new two-year, improved pay offer.
Council staff are being balloted after unions received a two-year pay offer from local government employers COSLA earlier this month. Look out for your email and make sure you use your vote by 7 July 2025.
What is the improved pay offer?
The improved offer includes a 4% increase for the current financial year (2025/26) and 3.5% for the next financial year (2026/27).
You can view the full pay offer here.
Why does UNISON recommend vote ACCEPT?
Following careful consideration, UNISON’s local government committee has decided to recommend that members vote to accept this offer. As it represents a significant step forward, achieved through our collective determination.
The revised offer exceeds current inflation and next year’s projected rate.
Over the past few weeks, we have been balloting all of our local government members on industrial action in the ongoing pay dispute. As a direct result of the pressure local government staff have now received this improved pay offer.
This is your opportunity to have your say. However you decide to vote, it’s important we hear from you. Your vote matters.
Pay offer and indicative SJC spinal points
- You can view the full pay offer here.
- You can view the indicative SJC spinal points here.
- You can view the supplementary letter here.
Message from head of local government
UNISON Scotland head of local government, David O’Connor said: “The threat of possible strikes by council employees has forced COSLA back to the table.
“But it should not have taken the possibility of staff walkouts closing services to get COSLA and the Scottish government to listen to the workforce.
“Local authority workers were due a pay rise in April. Despite the delay, this is a sensible offer. The union will be putting the new amount to council staff over next few weeks, recommending that they accept.”
