Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
On Friday, council leaders voted to enforce the deal despite Unison’s opposition, saying members of the GMB and Unite had accepted it.
Council leaders argue that the deal is “at the absolute limit of affordability” given the tight financial situation.
Scottish Unison local government leader David O’Connor said: “To say this is a bitter disappointment is an understatement.
“Just a day ago, Cosla’s chief negotiator, councilor Katie Hagmann, and Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Finance Shona Robinson MSP assured the union that they were committed to a negotiated settlement.
“Now, they’ve resorted to some of the worst employment practices by forcing this deal.
“They should be totally ashamed of themselves.
“It’s upsetting and infuriating to see them being undervalued once again.
“Politicians have enjoyed pay rises of up to 6.7%, but they are telling dedicated workers to limit their expectations.”
Cosla resources spokeswoman Ms Hagmann said: “(The proposal) is at the absolute limit of affordability in the extremely challenging financial context we are facing.
“The offer is worth 4.27% across the workforce and is in line with the salary award for teaching staff, which has been agreed with the teachers’ panel.
“Importantly, over 75% of the SJC (Scottish joint council) workforce will receive a rise of more than 3.6% – with up to 5.63% for the lowest paid at the request of all unions labour.”
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He added: “We have engaged in constructive dialogue with our trade union partners throughout our wage negotiations.
“This proposal, which has been accepted by members of the GMB and Unite, meets the collective requests of all the SJC unions which were made in a joint letter to council leaders on 31 July.
“This does not mean that negotiations will stop.
“Cosla remains fully committed to the negotiation process and we will continue to negotiate with all our trade union partners, with the ambition to reach a mutual agreement, if possible.”
Council Leaders have agreed that the Scottish Joint Council’s pay offer, which has been accepted by GMB and Unite members, should be implemented to ensure that workers get their pay rise and back pay without further delay.
Read more ➡️https://t.co/B3YKQFH2Pj @KatieHagmannSNP pic.twitter.com/BoqLOBTq90
— COSLA (@COSLA) September 27, 2024
Finance Secretary Ms Robison said: “The decision taken by council leaders to implement the local government pay offer will prevent any further delays and get pay in the pockets of valuable workers – including those who need it most – before Christmas .
“The pay award will see the lowest paid workers receive a pay rise of 5.63% and most local government workers receive more than 4%.
“Although the Scottish Government has no formal role in these negotiations, we have provided £77.5 million to support this proposal which Unite and GMB members voted overwhelmingly to accept.
“I hope Unison members recognize the strength of this proposal.”
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24615654.union-ballot-90-000-local-government-workers-deal-imposed/?ref=rss
