Tens of thousands of staff in schools, early years education and family centres in Scotland are being balloted for strike action from today (Tuesday) in an ongoing dispute over pay, says UNISON.
If staff vote in favour of action, the union says there could be closures across the country in September.
UNISON announced last week that waste, recycling and street cleaning staff would be going on strike, which prompted council employers organisation Cosla to make a revised 1 year offer of 3.2%.
The union say this is no better than what was already on the table and industrial action will continue. The pay dispute affects all council workers in Scotland.
UNISON Scotland local government lead David O’Connor said: “Council workers have seen the value of their wages reduced by a quarter over the past 14 years.
“They’re simply asking for a pay deal that starts to address years of below-inflation pay settlements.
“Staff should return their completed ballot as soon as possible to make sure their voice is heard.”
UNISON Scotland local government chair Colette Hunter said: “In the next few days schools, early years and family centre staff will receive a purple ballot envelope. UNISON’s recommendation is to strike.
“Industrial action is always the last resort. But the revised offer of 3.2% puts absolutely no more money on the table. Cosla refuses to call on the Scottish government to sit round the table with unions and councils to discuss local government funding. But this situation cannot continue.”
Notes to editors
– UNISON is the largest union in Scotland. Members work in education, local government, social care, NHS, police services, utilities, energy and voluntary sector.
– Cosla’s full revised offer can be read here
– Last week UNISON announced that council waste, recycling and street cleaning staff (in 13 councils and one arm’s length employer) voted in a ballot to strike. In response, Cosla issued a revised one-year pay offer of 3.2%.
– Cosla’s previous offer was in two stages, covering an 18-month period. This would give a 2.2% increase for the first six months and an additional 2% for the subsequent 12 months, ending in September next year. This was rejected by UNISON members in a consultative ballot.
– Councils where UNISON has a mandate for strike action in waste, recycling and street cleaning are: Clackmannanshire Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council, East Ayrshire Council, East Lothian Council, Fife Council, Glasgow City Council, Inverclyde Council, Midlothian Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Perth & Kinross Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Stirling Council, West Lothian Council and Cireco.