Council members across Scotland have voted to accept a revised offer from employers, concluding this year’s pay negotiations, says UNISON today (Wednesday).
The deal paves the way for meaningful talks on wage rises, a reduced working week and council finances. It follows a disappointing initial pay offer from the employers’ body Cosla for 2024/25, which led to two weeks of strikes by school and early years staff across Perth & Kinross. 
Following the strikes in First Minister John Swinney’s constituency, UNISON secured a commitment from the Scottish Government that it will attend future discussions about council pay and resources between unions and employers at an early stage.
Until now, the lack of Scottish Government input at early talks has hindered unions and employers from concluding credible pay deals swiftly.
UNISON Scotland’s local government committee chair Colette Hunter said:
“Our members’ resolve and action has secured a route to a strong pay offer before April 2025.
“We have ensured the Scottish Government will be in the room with unions and Cosla when we discuss issues, including a minimum £15 per hour pay rate, a reduction in the working week, and the poor state of council finances.
“Our members have shown they will take a stand on pay and seek to protect crucial local services. By concluding this year’s negotiations, we now take our campaign into 2025 and look forward to discussions commencing in December.”