As you will be aware recently members voted overwhelmingly to reject the COSLA 23/24 pay award offer. We are now balloting Waste members to take the first wave of Industrial Action to secure an improved offer. Please see important information below which advises all members of the ballot and answers most asked questions.
Which groups are being balloted for strike action?
The membership groups that we have formally notified employers we will be balloting are all members employed in waste and recycling services.
Why are only certain groups being balloted for action?
It is important to stress that this campaign is for all local government workers. The decision to only ballot certain groups of workers for strike action is tactical – to ensure we maximise the impact of our action on vital service areas likely to force the employers hand.
What is the deadline for returning my ballot paper?
We must receive your completed ballot paper by 10am on the 14th July 2023 so you need to get it in a post box a couple of days before this to make sure you meet the deadline.
What should I do if I misplace my ballot paper?
Call the ballot helpline on 0800 0 857 857. This Helpline will be open from 8am on 26th June 2023 to 12 noon on the 14th July 2023.
Why can’t I vote online?
Legislation governing industrial action stipulates that a formal industrial action ballot must be conducted by post. Your ballot will be in a WHITE ENVELOPE.
Why should I vote for strike action?
The current offer is made up of two parts:
- a 5% full year increase on all Spinal Column Points (SCP) from 1 April 2023
- plus an additional, grade dependent, increase from 1 January 2024.
This additional amount would be:
- An additional £0.45 on SCP2 to SCP18 (annual full-time salary of circa £20,933) and the underpinning Scottish Local Government Living Wage rate. This will raise the SLGLW by £0.99 over the course of the financial year.
- An additional 2.5% on SCP19 to SCP43 (annual full-time salary of circa £28,862), with smoothing consisting of slightly higher uplifts applied to SCP19, 20, and 21.
- An additional 1.5% up on SCP44 to SCP64 (annual full-time salary of circa £38,585).
- An additional 1% on SCP 65 and above.
Why are we asking members to take industrial action?
UNISON local government committee are asking members to take industrial action because:-
- Falls short of the Joint Trade Union’s claim, which was submitted on 26th January 2023.
- Falls far short of the current rate of inflation, which remains above 10%. It would therefore amount to a real-terms pay cut for our members during the current cost of living crises and as such will plunge more of them into debt.
- For those on the lowest pay, falls short of the offer made to local government workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Has a cost envelope which falls short of that which has applied to other areas of the public sector.
- Fails to address other items contained within our claim including any real proposals to move to a minimum rate of pay of £15 per hour.
Will I get any financial support if I vote to take strike action?
Yes, all members taking strike action will be financially supported by UNISON. Further details will follow.
I am employed on multiple contracts with my local authority – am I being balloted to take strike action in all my roles?
You are only being balloted on your role as an employee working in Waste services, for the purpose of providing services to the running and operation in waste and recycling services.
I’m not being balloted for strike action – what can I do to show my support for the campaign?
There are a number of things you can do to show support for the campaign and it is important that you do so colleagues included in the ballot know that you stand with them.
You can:
Help us get the word out! UNISON is leading the fight for better pay for all local government workers – help share our campaign messages
Help us speak to colleagues who are being balloted to stress the importance of them returning their ballot paper – sign up to call colleagues by contacting your local branch.
Talk to your colleagues in the workplace about the importance of voting yes to take strike action.
Share our campaign materials on your social media feeds. You can access these here
Recruit your colleagues to UNISON – the more members we have the louder our voice at the negotiating table. They can join https://join.unison.org.uk
Stirling UNISON 