| Date: Thu 27 August
2009
UNISON warns CoSLA: ‘Back off on pay freeze’
In advance of discussions by council leaders at CoSLA tomorrow
(Friday), UNISON, the largest union representing Scottish local
council workers, warned council bosses not to threaten a five
year pay cut, and to enter pay negotiations with an open mind.
Leaked discussion documents have suggested that up to a five
year pay freeze will be on the table as council leaders sit down
behind closed doors to discuss their response to the current recession.
Matt Smith, UNISON’s Scottish Secretary said:
"CoSLA leaders would be well advised to back off from any
decision to freeze pay at all, far less for five years. Leaked
papers suggest that CoSLA recognise the serious problem of low
pay in local councils. Any freeze would increase that problem,
de-motivate the workforce, impact negatively on services and damage
communities.
"Knee jerk reaction to financial difficulties is no way
to run local government. It is completely unfair that low-paid
cooks, cleaners, care workers and clerical staff should be told
that they are to pay the price of the financial incompetence of
well-heeled bankers and financiers. Council leaders should talk
to staff trade unions about funding, council tax and business
rates rather than threatening their staff."
Dougie Black, UNISON Regional Organiser and lead negotiator said:
"It is disgraceful that CoSLA could think it is acceptable
to threaten pay cuts to staff that deliver our services. There
are appropriate bargaining arrangements to discuss pay. Why doesn’t
CoSLA use these rather than leaking material to the media?
"Despite the persistent claims of the private sector, council
staff are not well-paid, and have had below inflation pay increases
in four out of the last five years. To suggest that it is acceptable
for them to continue to have their pay cut for the next five years
seems to indicate a macho, bullying attitude that CoSLA would
do well to avoid, unless they are keen to provoke a dispute."
The previous pay agreement of a two-year deal ended with the
award of 2.5% in April this year.
Negotiations for future years pay increases are scheduled to
start in the autumn.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Matt Smith, Scottish Secretary 07771 548 997(m)
Dougie Black, Regional Officer – Secretary, TU negotiators
07958 121 851(m)
Chris Bartter, Communications Officer 07715 583 729(m)
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