Unite union launching strike ballots in Scottish councils

The trade union Unite says it is initiating strike ballots in all Scotland’s 32 councils in a dispute over pay.

The union says the current offer of a 2% pay increase is “pathetic” in light of the current cost of living.

Unite says its ballot will open on June 10 and close on July 26, covering schools and cleansing departments.

If members vote for a strike, it could begin in August at the start of the next school term.

Unite and other trade unions have called on employers to improve the offer.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite will now ballot thousands of our members across every one of Scotland’s 32 local authorities.

“The last offer on the table from the employer was a pathetic 2%.

“When the broader cost of living has now hit 11.1%, this is a huge pay cut and simply not acceptable when workers face punishing living costs.

“Our members are not putting up with this and they will have their union’s full support in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions in local government.”

Wendy Dunsmore, Unite industrial officer said: “Unite has served notice to all 32 local authorities that we will now ballot our members from 10 June.

“There has been some acknowledgement by Cosla (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) that the 2% offer is nowhere near good enough and local government workers deserve a significant increase.

“However, we now need action not words and more letters, or strike action is on the horizon.”