Years of central government underfunding, growing demand for services and spikes in inflation and energy costs have cost councils billions. Now services we all rely on are facing catastrophic cuts.
Find out the funding gap in your council https://councilcuts.unison.org.uk/
Saturday, 30 November | 10:30am | Glasgow Green
The theme for this year’s march, Resilient and Rising: Marching for 40 Years, reflects both the enduring strength and ongoing struggles of anti-racist movements in Scotland. It is a recognition of the work that has been done over the past four decades and a call to continue pushing back against racism, especially in a time when global migration crises and the rise of far-right extremism make such efforts as crucial as ever. The event will honour the history of these marches, while inspiring new generations to remain vigilant and proactive in creating a more just and equitable society for all.
Join us on Saturday, 30 November 2024 at 10:30am in Glasgow Green (muster at the McLennan Arch) where the march will start and proceed to Adelaide Place (209 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4HZ) for an indoor rally at 12pm.
We are urging a strong UNISON attendance this year, in particular given the summer riots.
Everyone is welcome to join, and you are encouraged to bring UNISON placards and flags.
Thursday 24 October. 6.30-8pm
Augustine United Church,
41 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh EH1 1EL
The Labour government’s promised “GB Energy” will make or break whether we meet the 2050 Net Zero target. GB Energy promises:
A ‘publicly owned energy company’ delivering 100% clean energy.
Saving households a whopping £93 billion!
A form of public ownership in a sector monopolised by profiteers. Will these promises be delivered on and crucially is the
Labour government ready to take on big oil and gas?
You can also participate online – register at https://tinyurl.com/ecc24oct
Standing Together for a Fair Deal
COSLA’s decision to impose an unfair pay award does not mean we are giving up. Instead, we are moving to the next stage of our campaign. Our consultative ballot showed an overwhelming rejection of the current offer, with over 86% of members voting to reject it. This clear message from our members highlights that the offer is insufficient and unfair. As a result, we are taking the step to ballot 90,000 council members in Scotland for strike action.
UNISON’s Commitment to Action
UNISON already has live strike mandates at 19 employers, we will identify the most effective areas for action and will move quickly to set dates, giving notice in selected employers. Additionally we are finalising a timetable to ballot our entire membership affected by this local government pay settlement for Industrial Action.
A Bitter Disappointment
The decision by COSLA to unilaterally impose a wage rise already rejected by a majority of the workforce is a bitter disappointment, choosing to disregard the overwhelming rejection of the offer by UNISON members in the consultative ballot.
Just days before the announcement, COSLA’s lead negotiator, Councillor Katie Hagman, and the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government & Finance, Shona Robinson MSP, assured us they were committed to a negotiated settlement.
This decision ranks among the poorest of employment practices, even worse than those seen in longer-running disputes within the rail industry and the NHS doctors.
The Inadequate Offer
The current offer from COSLA includes an hourly increase of 67p (or 3.6%), whichever is higher. However, this falls short of expectations, especially considering the 25% real-terms pay cut over the past 14 years.
Part of the reason Councils are in Crisis
Councils are in a state of crisis, grappling with severe recruitment challenges. Workers are being asked to do more with fewer resources and lower wages. Local authority employees and the essential services they provide are under untenable pressure. The only viable solution is to provide these dedicated staff with the higher pay rise they rightly deserve.
Our Members: The Backbone of Society
Council staff, our members, are the backbone of society, providing essential services that keep everything running smoothly. It’s both upsetting and infuriating to see them so undervalued. Politicians have enjoyed pay rises upwards of 6.7%, yet they tell dedicated workers to limit their expectations. Our members made it clear in the consultation ballot that this disparity is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately.
Demanding Fairness
UNISON members are rightly outraged that the current offer falls significantly short of their pay claim and is well below the 5.5% awarded to NHS colleagues. Despite Cosla claiming to value each member of their workforce, they have employed the poorest of employment practices by imposing an unfair pay offer. Finance Secretary Shona Robison’s mention of staff receiving this unfair pay settlement before Christmas is little consolation. Local Government workers deserve a decent pay rise, not just a payment to tide them over the festive period.
A Call to Action
Our members need a pay offer that takes a significant step in restoring the value of our pay. It must be fair, and we need it now—no more promises of cake tomorrow. Stand together, demand fairness, and fight for the pay rise you deserve.
UNISON: United for Fair Pay – What can you do ?
Our strength and solidarity are our greatest assets and together, we can make a difference in our fight for a fair deal for all
Before the ballot, we ask all members to take immediate action by contacting their Councillors and MPs. By writing to them, you can build pressure and demonstrate the strength of our collective voice.
This will only take a few minutes but is vital in building pressure.
• Email Your Councillor: You can send a pre-drafted email asking your councillor to support a fair pay rise for council workers. Click here to Email Your Councillor.
• Email Your MP: Similarly, you can email your MP, explaining why local government workers need a proper pay rise and highlighting the impact of funding cuts. Click here to Email Your MP.
These emails can be personalised if desired and can also be used by friends and family, so feel free to circulate this call to action far and wide.
Finally you can read our latest update here: UNISON Scotland – Local Government Strike Ballot Could Be Extended to More Workers. https://unison-scotland.org/local-government-strike-ballot-could-be-extended-to-more-workers/
Let’s ensure every UNISON member gets the respect and pay they deserve.
SCOTTISH WOMEN’S COMMITTEE
Dear all,
UNISON College’s Financial Wellbeing Fortnight 2024 will run from Monday 11 November – Friday 22 November.It is a two-week series of sessions designed to help increase confidence with money management, understand debt and improve financial literacy.
The sessions below will be of interest to our women members. Please help to circulate this to women in the regions and branches. More information and details of how to register can be found here: Financial Wellbeing Fortnight 2024 | UNISON College
Tuesday 12 November 2024
Unison Debtline – free and confidential support for Members and their family
1pm – 2pm
PayPlan (Unison Debt line) is one of the largest FREE debt advice and solutions providers in the UK. Every year they support over 180,000 new clients with their finances, helping them to explore the range of different debt solutions that are available and providing guidance around the most appropriate for individual circumstances. Support is available over phone and a range of digital options including email, live chat and WhatsApp.
This session will provide attendees with insight to the support Unison members can expect to receive when contacting Unison debt line, the options available for support and the solutions to resolve debt issues. The session will also explore member case studies and referral options that members can be provided with.
Women & Money
Wednesday 20 November 2023
12.30pm – 1.30pm
This webinar is specially tailored for our women members and the financial challenges they face throughout their lives. The session will be run by the Money Charity, an independent and impartial charity, who have been helping people from all walks of life to take control of their finances, become financially capable and achieve Financial wellbeing.
Sent on behalf of
Susan Burns
Regional Organiser (Scotland West Organising Team)
Scottish Equality Officer
UNISON Scotland
UNISON Scotland’s local government committee has decided to run an official postal strike ballot for ALL council staff.
The decision was taken after the committee met to consider the result of the ‘ALL’ local government members email consultative ballot.
Thousands voted overwhelmingly (86%) to reject COSLA’s latest pay offer, with over 50% of you voting in this consultative ballot.
All Local Government members should have already received an email from UNISON Scotland with details, please refer to this email for further information.
Not received that email? Please take these steps as soon as possible –
1. please check your spam folder.
2.Please contact the branch to update and check your details that we hold for you.
Email: thomsonl34s@stirling.gov.uk Tel: 01786 233093
Stirling UNISON 