Reject the 3 year pay cut - it doesn’t add up

by Malcolm Burns

UNISON Scotland has called on local government members to reject a final pay offer far below the rate of inflation.

The three year deal of 1% this year, 0% next year and 0.5% the year after is effectively a pay cut. Inflation was running at 4.4% at the time of the offer.

Dougie Black, who led the UNISON side in talks over the 2010 pay claim said: “Our members will be extremely angry at this offer. It does not meet our claim in any way.”

Stephanie Herd, chair of UNISON’s Scottish Local Government Committee said: “A 1% pay rise will have a damaging effect on women’s pay and will widen the gap between local government pay and the rest of economy.”

A single year pay claim of 3% or £600 had been sought by the unions. The claim also demanded a £7 per hour ‘Living Wage’ minimum. Employer’s side CoSLA made a final offer of a three year deal - 1% from April 2010, 0% from April 2011 and 0.5% from April 2013.

UNISON negotiators and the Scottish Joint Council Trade Union Side (UNISON, Unite and GMB) all unanimously agreed to recommend rejection of this offer.

Dougie said: “It is now very important that we build a campaign of support for this position amongst the membership.

“Branches must seek the views of members, and also consider the type of action required to force the employers to improve upon this offer.”

Branches are now organising local meetings to discuss the campaign and reasons for rejecting the offer. A ballot on rejection will then take place between 21 June and 29 July.

Dougie said: “A high return and a strong rejection will show the employers just how angry members are about the poor offer they have made.”

“The employers will then be asked again to re-open talks and make an improved offer to meet our claim.

“If they refuse or there is no improvement, a further ballot of members will take place on taking some form of industrial action.

“The industrial action strategy will be determined by branches and again members will have an opportunity through their branch to influence the strategy.”

• STOP PRESS - Inflation up again: Latest figures show Retail Price Inflation in the year to April was 5.3% - up from 4.4% in March.

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