Author: Stirling Websites

Scotland’s largest trade union accepts local government pay offer

UNISON members, the largest local government union, have voted to accept COSLA’s pay offer in a ballot of all local government members across Scotland.

With an incredible 64% turnout the results are as follows:

  • Those voting to accept the pay offer – 67%
  • Those voting to reject the pay offer – 33%

UNISON will now work with employers to ensure that pay increases are included in salaries as soon as possible. Once the union is satisfied we will notify employers that local government strike notices will be withdrawn.

Johanna Baxter, UNISON Scotland head of local government said: “UNISON members have spoken and voted overwhelmingly to accept the improved pay offer and we will now press COSLA to get this money into members’ pay packets as quickly as possible.

But let’s be very clear – it was only because UNISON members took, and were prepared to take, industrial action that this improved pay offer was even made. If they hadn’t stood up to their employer they would have been forced to accept a derisory 2% increase. It was their collective strength that forced the Scottish Government to accept they had a role to play and come up with more money but it should never have gotten to that.

The lesson the Scottish Government needs to take from this is that they need to fund local government, and the workers that serve our local communities, properly and UNISON will continue to lead the campaign for investment in councils and for staff to get the pay, reward and recognition they deserve.”

Mark Ferguson chair of the local government committee said: “I want to thank all council workers, particularly those who took industrial action. Without your commitment, we would never have secured this deal. I am pleased we have secured this pay rise. But let’s not pretend it will be the only thing that protects council workers against the cost of living crisis – we have much more work to do and we are already running our next campaign for improved council services and better pay and conditions for all council workers.”

Retired members newsletter

Retired members newsletter Autumn 2022

Unions are the solution for the economy and equality

General secretary Christina McAnea and UNISON members
appeared at a special event in Westminster that examined
how both the economy and gender equality can be
boosted through investment in the social care sector.
‘Time to Care’ looked at the key components
that make up the economic case for social care investment
and reform – and why social care should be as important
to our economic infrastructure as the roads and railways.
For example, more people work in social care than for
the NHS – a huge workforce who spend their wages in
local economies. Local job creation also reduces the need
for traveling, making funding for care jobs also a green
investment.
And, crucially, a properly funded social care system is
vital to women: not only do they make up the majority of
the care workforce, but women also take on the bulk of
unpaid caring responsibilities, which reduces their ability to
participate in paid employment.
As the UK seeks to recover from COVID-19 and deal
with the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, there is
a pressing need for investment to be prioritised for those
industries that have been particularly badly affected by the
pandemic and those that can bring a boost to our flagging
economy.
Social care ticks both of these boxes.

Radical Social Work Webinar Series

UNISON Scotland/GCU Lunchtime Radical Social Work Webinar Series – Wednesday 5 October 1-2pm

The latest in our Radical Social Work lunchtime webinar series looks at The Impact of the Cost of Living Crisis on the delivery of social work services, speakers from UNISON, Practice, and Citizens Advice Scotland

Here is the link to register for this webinar:

Register on Eventbrite

About this event:

Despite the paltry attempt at reducing the impact by the new Westminster Government, the Cost of Living Rises this winter will hit hard on those with the least resilience. Organised workers are rightly demanding decent pay increases but for millions the prospects are grim. Energy price increases impact on every aspect of life – all shop purchases, travel, and of course gas and electricity. This will affect social workers as consumers but will hit the old and vulnerable. Families struggling already are likely to be pushed to the limit. The fact that those with wealth will be barely affected will increase issues of inequality and all the social ills they bringin their wake.

Our speakers this month include a member of a local council Money Matters team who is also a campaigner on the cost of living issues, a front-line social worker who is a UNISON activist, and a senior representative from Citizens Advice Scotland. The event will be chaired by Mo Dickson from Unison Scotland. Detail will be added here as soon as confirmed. Each speaker will present for ten minutes so there is plenty of time for Q&A – and raising issues from the Chat function.

The event will be recorded so if you sign up you are giving consent as a participant.

Queen Elizabeth II has died

Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years. She died peacefully on Thursday afternoon, 08 September 2022, at her Scottish estate.

Lorraine Thomson, Branch Secretary said: “We are saddened to receive the news of Her Majesty the Queen’s death. On behalf of UNISON Stirling, we would like to extend our condolences to the members of the Royal Family and everyone who has been affected by this sad news.”

As a mark of respect, the Union flag will be flown at half-mast at Stirling Council headquarters and other civic buildings.

For those who wish to pay their respects following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, an online Book of Condolence is available on the Stirling Council website here: www.stirling.gov.uk/book-of-condolence/

Ballot E-mail questions and answers

An e-mail will be sent to all members today Friday 9th September 2022 with their individual ballot link to vote in the LG pay consultation. 

Your questions

Scottish local government pay ballot frequently asked questions

We attach a copy of the FAQs we have developed for the consultation to help members understand how the revised offer may affect them.  We hope that this will answer many of the most frequently asked questions. We encourage all members to read this before casting their vote. 

The ballot e-mail will be sent emails@unison.org.uk with the subject line ‘Your Voting Link – UNISON Local Government Pay Ballot’. 

What the improved offer means

This improved offer means that everyone will get an extra £1925 pro rata at least and this will now be consolidated into our pay. This is a permanent uplift of 10% for those earning less than £20k and 7.2% for those earning less than £25k. It’s pro rata but based on 36 hours a week which is better than the previous offer based on 37 hours.

There is also an extra day’s annual leave and payment of SSSC fees for staff required to be registered.

This improved offer came ONLY because our members were prepared to take strike action. I am very proud of those members in Stirling in waste and schools and early years who won a pay ballot and who have stood up for the rest of us.

Thank you!

UNISON is now consulting with a recommendation to accept but the members will ultimately decide.