Faculty help workers in 10 councils vote for strike motion in pay dispute
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chools throughout 10 councils in Scotland are set for disruption after staff in schooling and early years companies voted for industrial motion, Unite has confirmed.
The union mentioned 1000’s of workers together with janitors, cleaners, caterers, classroom assistants and administration staff will take focused motion within the new faculty time period amid 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 common secretary, mentioned it comes after no improved pay supply was placed on the desk following talks with council umbrella physique Cosla.
The union is urging First Minister Humza Yousaf to straight intervene within the dispute.
Last week, help workers within the GMB Scotland voted for strike motion in a dispute over the supply of a 5.5% in-year pay rise.
Ms Graham mentioned: “The message for both the Scottish Government and Cosla is loud and clear. Thousands of our members have voted to take strike action in education and early years services because they won’t accept a real-terms pay cut.
“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 spokesman mentioned the “strong offer” raises the native authorities dwelling wage by 99p to £11.84 per hour.
It is a suggestion which recognises each the important position of the individuals who ship our important companies throughout councils every single day and the worth that we, as employers, place on them
He mentioned: “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 protect jobs and services.
“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 an offer which recognises both the vital role of the people who deliver our essential services across councils every day and the value 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.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson mentioned: “Local government pay negotiations are a matter for local authorities as employers and unions.
“The Scottish Government and COSLA have committed to respect this negotiating arrangement as part of the Verity House Agreement.
“Despite UK Government cuts, the Scottish Government has provided a further £155 million to support a meaningful pay rise for local government workers, which has been taken into account in the pay offer 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.”