You may be aware that UNISON have received a further offer from COSLA, our Scottish Local Government Committee has taken the decision to consult members on this latest offer, and have agreed to suspend industrial action in Waste Services while we consult you on the offer.
Key elements of the offer
• £0.67 uplift to hourly rate or 3.6% (whichever is better)
• Average offer value is 4.24%
• Flat rate £0.67 = £1,292 increase in annual salary
• Provides a 5.63% increase in Scottish Local Government Living Wage
• Transition from £0.67 to £3.6% is at SCP 56 - current hourly rate £18.80, nominal salary £36,269
For information:
• At SCP 72 (£45,143) salary increases by £1,623 to £46,766
• 75% of the workforce by FTE are getting the flat rate
• 25% of the workforce by FTE are getting the percentage
• 64% of the workforce by FTE are getting 4% or better
Whilst this is an improvement on the previous offer the Scottish Local Government Committee are recommending rejection for various reasons including:
· Local government workers have suffered a 25% real-terms pay cut over the past 14 years. This offer fails to adequately compensate for these significant losses.
· Councils are facing a severe staffing crisis. We're losing experienced employees and struggling to fill vacancies. This offer does nothing to address this critical problem.
Key Facts
What this offer means is that since 2009, in real terms, local government pay has fallen far behind the rate of inflation (RPI). While our campaigning on delivery of the Local Government Living Wage has delivered some stability for those up to point 8 of the salary scale, those between salary points :
9 and 15 have seen their pay fall on average by 4.5%
16 and 40 have seen their pay fall on average by 15.8%
41 and above have seen their pay fall on average by 24%
Does this mean the dispute is over? - No
The value of our wages has fallen significantly over 14 years, the offer does little to address this. (This being a result of regular below inflation pay settlements, meaning in real terms the value of our pay falls and what we get for the pound in our pocket is less and less year on year.) COSLA may argue that this offer is above inflation using CPI. However, in real terms RPI should be considered as the benchmark as RPI includes some components that are not included in the CPI, such as housing components and mortgage interest payments so provides for a better measurement of cost of living and is the reason why we use this as a measure of inflation as this is a better measure of living costs.
UNISON still have a mandate for strike action in waste and are currently have a live ballot in Education running.
In Education
If you work in education, you will have received a ballot paper through the Post recommending you reject the pay offer, and take industrial Action, you should return this ballot paper as soon as you can before the closing date of 29th August 2024 as UNISON are still not satisfied that the latest pay offer meets the needs of our members.
As this relates directly to your pay and is so important to us, you may receive a telephone call from UNISON reminding you to return your ballot paper.
If you have not received a ballot paper and work in Education, you can telephone our help line on 0800 0857 857. The cutoff date to do this 22nd August 2024.
For All Members, including education
You will receive a consultative ballot paper by email on Monday 19th August 2024 asking you to consider the latest offer. UNISON recommend you reject this offer. Please look out for your email and respond by the closing date notified on the email.
Yours sincerely
Tony Beekman
Branch Secretary
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