A threat of strike action by Argyll and Bute council staff has been lifted after Unite members voted for a revised pay offer.
Over 70% of members in a consultative ballot voted to accept the revised offer made by COSLA earlier this month.
Strikes saw rubbish covering pavements in Glasgow and Edinburgh, but in Argyll and Bute no action was taken despite there being a mandate for it.
The revised offer will fully consolidate £2,000 for those earning up to £20,500, the equivalent to an increase of up to 11% for the lowest paid.
The offer – backdated to April – will also be fully consolidated into overtime, allowances and pensions.
It also includes the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) registration fee – a key Unite demand – being fully funded by the Scottish Government, and one additional day of annual leave.
Sharon Graham, the union’s general secretary, said: “Unite’s members have voted to accept a pay offer that will help them make ends meet during this cost of living crisis.
“Our members led from the front and throughout in this nationwide dispute which started during the Edinburgh Fringe, and then spread across Scotland.
“The package will deliver better jobs, terms and conditions for our members in local government and they should be congratulated for the brave stand they took.”
Unite has also warned the Scottish Government that proposed £500m budget cuts to public services will not be tolerated.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said £500m in cuts had been identified in a statement in the Scottish Parliament as part of measures designed to fund the local government pay offer.
Wendy Dunsmore, Unite’s lead negotiator for local government, added: “The Scottish Government are already shamefully threatening to make £500m of cuts to public services, which we will not tolerate.
“The robbing Peter to pay Paul narrative being spun by government ministers that decent pay rises only come with another service in the public sector being slashed is dangerous and it will be fought inch by inch by Unite.”
Leave a Reply