Council workers reject pay offer amid threat of bin strikes

Council workers represented by Scotland’s biggest local government union have voted overwhelmingly to reject the latest pay offer.

It means cleansing strikes could still go ahead in 13 council areas.

Unison said 86% of those balloted rejected the latest offer from COSLA which includes an hourly uplift of £0.67 or a 3.6% increase, whichever is higher.

Unison has mandates for strike action by waste and recycling workers at 13 councils, and for education and early years staff at five councils.

The union’s local government committee, made up of senior stewards from across Scotland, will discuss next steps over the next few days.

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Unison Scotland local government committee chair Colette Hunter said: “Cosla and the Scottish government need to understand the anger among council staff.

“They want a fair increase to stop their pay consistently falling behind, and for their wage increase to be in line with other areas of the economy.”

Last week, the GMB union said the COSLA offer represented a “significant improvement” while Unite described it as “credible” before its members voted to accept.

The Scottish Government said it provided £77.5m to fund an improved pay offer.

Finance and local government secretary Shona Robison previously said: “We value this vital workforce and I welcome the fact that members will now be able to consider this strong pay offer which was reached following a strategic intervention from the Scottish Government.

“It has paused the prospect of costly industrial action this week which would have impacted businesses and communities across Scotland.

“Our swift action to ensure this strong offer could be made has been taken against an extremely challenging financial landscape and – while fair – represents the absolute limit of affordability.

“In order to fund the offer, we will have to move money from elsewhere in the budget and reduce funding for other programmes. We are taking on significant, additional financial pressure and have been clear painful choices have had to be made to fund this pay deal.

“The offer will provide an above inflation pay increase for all and support the lowest paid. I am pleased it is now with the workforce for their close consideration and would urge members to strongly consider this significantly improved envelope.”