UNISON will continue talks with the Scottish government and Glasgow City Council today (Friday).
The union say they are determined to secure a properly funded pay and grading settlement for Glasgow’s workers.
UNISON’s decision not to accept the council’s earlier proposals has already resulted in improvements to the overall equal pay package being tabled, says the union.
The union says it welcomes every improvement but will continue pressing for a settlement that addresses the position of the whole workforce, including thousands of workers whose pay remains unresolved and others facing financial detriment.
UNISON says its members will be balloted on the proposals but has a responsibility to secure the strongest possible package and ensure its members have sufficient information to make an informed choice, says the union.
Chris Sermanni, Glasgow City UNISON Branch Secretary said, “UNISON stood firm because the previous package wasn’t good enough for Glasgow’s workers. Our position had already delivered movement, and the intervention from the Scottish government has created a further opportunity to get this right.
“We welcome every additional penny we have secured. But our job isn’t simply to get any deal over the line, it’s to fight for the best deal we can achieve before UNISON members are asked to make their decision in a ballot.
“Many workers are due substantial and long-overdue increases, and we want them to receive every penny they are owed. But we also have workers facing significant losses and thousands of members whose outcomes remain unresolved. We will not leave them behind.
“UNISON members will have their say, that has never been in doubt”
Mandy McDowall, UNISON Scotland Regional Organiser said: “UNISON knows how to fight for pay justice in Glasgow because we have won it before. Our members spent years challenging discriminatory pay arrangements through the courts, in negotiations, and though industrial action. We remain the only union to take the council to the Court of Session on the current pay scheme and win.
“We know that securing pay justice sometimes means refusing to settle too early and continuing to fight when more can be achieved.
“The progress since the original proposals demonstrates why UNISON was right to keep negotiating. Today’s talks are another opportunity to build on the movement we secured.
“UNISON’s legal team are working alongside negotiators and we will continue our discussions with the council and Scottish government.
“We all need a settlement that delivers equal pay, protects workers from detriment, and gives every UNISON member a properly informed choice.”
Notes to editors
– UNISON says round one in five of the workforce still do not know their outcomes under the new proposals and insists those workers must be properly considered before a settlement is reached.
– UNISON is seeking permanent removal of the threat of fire and rehire.
– UNISON is the largest union for local government workers