Faculty help workers vote to strike in 10 Scottish council areas in pay dispute
Schools throughout Scotland are set for disruption after workers working in schooling and early years companies in 10 councils voted for industrial motion, Unite has confirmed.
The union stated 1000’s of workers together with janitors, cleaners, caterers, classroom assistants and administration staff will take focused motion within the new faculty time period after a dispute over pay.
Union members in Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Western Isles, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Fife, Glasgow, Inverclyde, and Orkney backed the motion.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s basic secretary, stated it comes after no improved pay provide was placed on the desk following talks with council umbrella physique Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).
The union is urging First Minister Humza Yousaf to immediately intervene within the dispute.
Last week, help workers within the GMB Scotland voted for strike motion in a dispute over the provide of a 5.5% in-year pay rise.
Ms Graham stated: “The message for each the Scottish authorities and COSLA is loud and clear. Thousands of our members have voted to take strike motion in schooling and early years companies as a result of they will not settle for a real-terms pay reduce.
“Our members deserve far more than 5% being served up by the politicians. We will support our members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions in local government.”
A COSLA spokesperson stated the “strong offer” raises the native authorities dwelling wage by 99p to £11.84 per hour.
They stated: “The reality of the situation is that as employers, council leaders have made a strong offer to the workforce. A strong offer which clearly illustrates the value councils place on their workforce, and it compares well to other sectors.
“It recognises the cost-of-living pressures on our workforce and, critically, it seeks to guard jobs and companies.
“While the offer value in-year is 5.5%, the average uplift on salaries going into the next financial year is 7%. Those on the Scottish local government living wage would get 9.12% and those at higher grades, where councils are experiencing severe recruitment challenges, would see 6.05%.
“It is a suggestion which recognises each the important function of the individuals who ship our important companies throughout councils daily and the worth that we, as employers, place on them.
“Crucially, it also raises the Scottish local government living wage by 99p to £11.84 per hour and sets out a commitment to work with our trade unions to develop a road map to £15 per hour in a way that protects our workforce and services we deliver.”
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The Scottish authorities stated native authorities pay negotiations “are a matter for local authorities as employers and unions”.
The spokesperson added: “The Scottish government and COSLA have committed to respect this negotiating arrangement as part of the Verity House Agreement.
“Despite UK authorities cuts, the Scottish authorities has offered an extra £155m to help a significant pay rise for native authorities staff, which has been taken into consideration within the pay provide already made by COSLA.
“The Scottish government urges all the parties involved to work together constructively and reach an agreement which is fair for the workforce and affordable for employers.”