The Pay Consultation Ballot for UNISON local government members is underway.

You should have received your e-ballot, sent directly to the email address you provided. If you haven’t received it, contact your branch immediately, and they will arrange for a replacement to be sent out.
So far, the employers’ offer of a 3% pay increase is effectively a pay cut disguised as a pay offer.
Here’s why:
Inflation: The latest UK inflation figures show a rise to 3% in January. This means the cost of everyday goods is rising at the same rate as the proposed pay rise, effectively cancelling it out.
Projected Inflation: Economic forecasts suggest inflation is set to rise to 3.75% by the middle of the year, meaning the offer of 3% will result in a pay cut.
Energy Costs: The recent energy cap increase of 6.4% adds an average of £111 to annual fuel bills. This alone wipes out a significant portion of the 3% increase.
Council Tax: Massive council tax rises further erode our take-home pay.
Additionally, over the past 15 years, all local government staff have seen the value of their pay drop by as much as 20%. This long-term erosion of pay value has been ignored.
Your UNION is seeking your views on the next steps if the employer fails to come forward with an improved pay offer by 31st March 2025.
We are asking whether you are willing to take industrial action to achieve an improved offer.
Your Local Government Committee is urging you to vote YES:

Yes, you deserve a decent pay raise.

YES to show a united strength of feeling.

By not participating in this ballot, you are telling the employers that you are willing to accept a pay cut disguised as a pay offer.

For more information see https://unison-scotland.org/local-government-pay-2025-26/

Council workers in Scotland asked to back strike ballot move, says UNISON 

How the Dagenham Strike Sparked the Equal Pay Movement

As the largest women’s organisation in the country, we’re celebrating 50 years of both the Equal Pay Act and the Sex Discrimination Act this International Women’s Day.

Fifty years ago, in 1975, the Equal Pay Act (1970) came into force in the UK, and the Sex Discrimination Act was also passed the same year.

Seven years earlier, a determined group of women had laid the foundations for the landmark Equal Pay Act. In 1968, 187 female sewing machinists at the Ford factory in Dagenham went on strike. They refused to work because they were being paid 15% less than their male colleagues, despite carrying out the same tasks.

The then Labour employment minister, Barbara Castle, helped the Dagenham sewing machinists to negotiate a settlement. She also promised to deliver legislation, “to make equal pay for equal work a reality”. So, in 1975, for the first time, employers were legally required to pay women and men equal pay for equal work.
Happy International Women’s Day…Read more

Saturday 8th March  

Assemble: 1pm Mercat Cross, Royal Mile/High Street

Join International Women’s Day Edinburgh to celebrate International Women’s Day with a march. Bring your placards, branch banners, family and friends; everyone is welcome!

The march will end in a rally at the Scottish Parliament, with speakers and stalls.

Highlighting a fact, according to the National Autistic Society, around 700,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum (Source: National Autistic Society). This decision of NHS Forth Valley will undoubtedly significantly impact a large portion of these individuals who might rely on their assessment services.

It would be a great help if you could support the Forth Valley Campaign around the Withdrawal of the Adult Autism Assessment Service in Forth Valley by signing the public petition by selecting the link here: