Title

PAY

Scottish council workers reject 5% pay offer

Waste service workers will today go on strike across 14 local authority areas in Scotland after trade union Unite rejected a 5% pay offer.

Waste service workers will today go on strike across 14 local authority areas in Scotland after trade union Unite rejected a 5% pay offer.

Unite's local government committee rejected outright the 5% pay offer from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). 

According to the union, for more than half of local government workers, COSLA's offer represents an increase of between £900 and £1,250.

In comparison, in England, council workers have been offered a £1,925 flat rate pay offer.

Unite industrial officer Wendy Dunsmore said: ‘It's a sad indictment that council workers in Scotland are being offered substantially less than their counterparts in England.

‘The offer on the table just doesn't help the lowest paid make ends meet.

‘This dispute will continue to escalate to a point where it could now go beyond the winter, causing months of massive nationwide disruption.'

PAY

Scottish councils funding falling short

By Paul Marinko | 11 June 2026

Funding for Scottish councils is failing to keep pace with rising costs and demand according to the Accounts Commission.

PAY

Lessons from Swansea: A collaborative approach to addressing poverty stigma

By Amanda Hill-Dixon | 11 June 2026

Amanda Hill-Dixon sets out evidence-informed actions for councils to reduce poverty stigma through universal services, dignified support, inclusive communica...

PAY

Managing the mission to beef up growth

By Ann McGauran | 10 June 2026

The National Wealth Fund has significantly broadened its remit. Through its regional project accelerator programme, it aims to unlock more than £100bn of inv...

PAY

Minister urges councils to hand services to residents

By Neil Merrick | 09 June 2026

Placing communities in charge of services will help cut costs and reduce the chance of council failure, local government minister Alison McGovern told MPs to...

Popular articles by William Eichler