Scottish Government must stop wrecking bargaining in non-departmental bodies

Jane Carolan

By John Stevenson

The STUC backed UNISON's call for a review of Scottish Government pay policy to allow real collective bargaining in Non-Departmental Public Bodies.

Jane Carolan slammed Scottish Government interference in pay bargaining through its Public Sector Pay Unit, causing delays as the 'ping-pong ball' bounces back an forward between the employers and the pay unit.

"UNISON isn't involved as bureaucrat talks to bureaucrat. Delay follows delay any any local bargaining is moulded into the rigidity of the pay guidelines", said Jane.

She listed examples affecting UNISON members. "Scottish Childrens Reporters - pay deal imposed. Scottish Environmental Protection Agency - staff sacked and re-hired under new contracts. Commission for the Regulation of Care - pay rise and new grading structure to come for the same pot and no equality proofing done on the scheme. Loch Lomond National Park - Pay Unit instructed that staff should not get their due incremental pay. These are just some examples".

"It leaves our members very angry at inadequate pay rises that don't reflect either economic conditions or efficiencies made in the workplace", said Jane.

"This is about the right to engage in free collective bargaining", said Jane. "At the moment the diktats of the Scottish Government, far removed from the workplace, impoverishes our members. And that must be totally unacceptable".

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