Review brings Campaign for Fair Pay in Local Government

by Kate Ramsden

UNISON Scotland will launcha "Fair Pay in Local Government Campaign" based on the lessons learned from the review of last year's pay dispute.

The campaign strategy will prioritise low pay and will involve members on the issues which should shape our pay claim for 2010.

“We are looking to start the process in May so that we can build up the campaign before the pay claim is publicly launched in November,” said Stephanie Herd, Chair of the Scottish Local Government Committee.

“We want to make sure that we engage fully with branches and members during this time so that we can begin early to map out both a political and an industrial action strategy.”

Stephanie added, “We need to strengthen the political campaign and to lobby MSPs and councillors at a local level and at an early stage, to get our message across and to build political support.

“We will also be setting out our communication strategy as an integral part of the campaign, and building on the strategies which worked well during the pay dispute, such as direct mailings to members and the website which provided the well received up to the minute information and briefings.

“The media coverage during the campaign was excellent, but we need to develop our press coverage on fair pay issues outwith industrial action.”

The current bargaining structures will be retained, although further discussions will be held with the political leadership in CoSLA to resolve the difficulties which emerged during the last pay campaign in trying to conclude an agreed settlement.

A separate review will take place into the function and structure of the negotiating body (SJC) to ensure it is fit for purpose.

The pay review group looked at a range of key issues including the shape of the pay claim, the industrial action, the joint work with the other Trade Unions, and the bargaining process.

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