Title

HUMAN RESOURCES

Unison warns of looming strike as it awaits pay offer

Scotland’s largest local government union has warned strike preparations could begin next week amid growing tensions over pay.

Scotland's largest local government union has warned strike preparations could begin next week amid growing tensions over pay.

Unison, along with Unite, submitted the 2024-25 pay claim for local government workers in January but the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has yet to respond.

The unions had urged council bosses to reply as close to the 1 April implementation date as possible.

Unison Scotland's local government chair Colette Hunter said: ‘It would appear that COSLA has learned nothing from last year's pay dispute.

‘The last thing anyone wants to do is take strike action, but if COSLA continues to ignore our pay claim then we may be left with no choice.'

COSLA said council leaders would meet on Friday to consider the claim.

Unison and Unite have called for an above-inflation increase for staff on the lowest pay as part of their aim for all local government workers to receive at least £15 an hour by April 2026.

The unions also asked for a pay rise of 7% or £1.60 an hour - whichever is greater.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Pressure grows on ministers to publish reorganisation legal advice

By Heather Jameson | 15 September 2026

Pressure was this week growing on ministers to publish the legal advice behind their decision to ‘pause’ local government reorganisation and announce a review.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Dealing with LGR limbo

By Neil Merrick | 15 September 2026

Councils face renewed uncertainty over staffing, finances, contracts and long-term planning as ministers review local government reorganisation. Neil Merrick...

HUMAN RESOURCES

Giving the people of Ealing a headstart

By Tony Clements | 14 September 2026

Tony Clements explains how Ealing LBC's family friendly policies represent the reality of today's workforce and are also a reflection of its wider commitment...

HUMAN RESOURCES

Concerns raised over Reform UK council's JCB trial

By Joe Lepper | 08 September 2026

Concerns have been raised over Reform UK-led Suffolk CC’s decision to trial a pothole-fixing machine from JCB.

Popular articles by Ellie Ames

-->