PAY

Strike action threat after pay offer imposition

Trade union Unison has threatened strike action after local authority leaders in Scotland decided to impose their pay offer.

© Cosmix/Pixabay

© Cosmix/Pixabay

Trade union Unison has threatened strike action after local authority leaders in Scotland decided to impose their pay offer. 

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) decided to push ahead with a pay increase of £1,292 or 3.6%, whichever is higher.

GMB and Unite had voted to accept the offer but Unison – Scotland's largest local government union – has rejected the rise.

Unison said more than 90,000 council and school staff in Scotland would now be balloted for strike action.

Local government lead for Unison Scotland, David O'Connor, said the imposition was a ‘bitter disappointment'.

He added: ‘They've resorted to some of the worst employment practices by imposing this deal. They should be utterly ashamed of themselves.'

COSLA has previously said the offer was ‘at the absolute limit of affordability'.

PAY

Unitary achieves pay harmony six years after reorganisation

By Martin Ford | 15 July 2025

A deal to harmonise legacy pay and terms for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council workers is finally expected to be signed, six years after reor...

PAY

Government letting down families on social care, says Dilnot

By Lee Peart | 14 July 2025

Governments of all colours have underfunded means-tested social care provision by local government for 20 years, says economist Andrew Dilnot. Lee Peart repo...

PAY

Unite hits out at Labour over fire and rehire threat

By Heather Jameson | 09 July 2025

Birmingham bin strike union Unite has hit out at Labour after it became clear an amendment to employment legislation could give the City Council a get out cl...

PAY

Employers urged to better 3.2% pay offer

By Dan Peters | 04 July 2025

Trade unions Unison, GMB and Unite have written to local government employers urging them to better their proposal for a 3.2% pay increase.

Popular articles by William Eichler