News – Stirling UNISON

Stirling UNISON’s Industrial Action Ballot

Stirling UNISON’s Industrial Action Ballot following the Stirling Council’s imposition of the new Organisational Change Policy

Stirling Council imposed a new Organisational Change policy that removes hard won terms and conditions. Under this new policy:

• You have lost the right to receive up to 3 years additional pension entitlement if you were leaving the organisation in a way that allowed you to access your pension.

• You have lost the entitlement to discretionary enhanced benefits, meaning that there is no guarantee that members would not leave employment with anything more than basic redundancy pay. This is a huge reduction in the severance pay that you could be entitled to. A 50-year-old who earns £26,000 per year with 20 years’ service would receive £12,250 under the new policy. Under previous arrangements, they would have received £26,950.

• There is a real terms reduction in the “payback period” for the cost of any benefits paid to staff when they leave. This is another method that cuts the Council’s ability to offer enhanced rates.

• There is no guarantee of any long-delayed Job Evaluation outcomes being backdated beyond two years. If the Council take longer than 2 years to evaluate your job, you could lose out on wages that should be yours.

• The Council can use settlement agreements in what should be redundancy situations, restricting members rights to speak about their experiences at work. We feel that this is an unnecessary gagging of Council workers, particularly as you will not be paid a premium payment as outlined on the second bullet point above.

• The Council has removed a reference to the legislation around permanency rights. This has been an issue in Stirling Council in the past and we feel that having this clearly marked in policy results in better outcomes for members.

In addition, we are hoping to resolve the imposition of generic job titles within Land Services, and the associated issues resulting from this.

To respond to these changes, we held a consultative ballot with selected groups of members to see if they would be willing to take action. This closed in late April, and those in favour were:

Wellgreen Car Park Attendants – 100% in favour

Enforcement officers – 100% in favour

Street Cleansing – 100% in favour

Waste – 98% in favour

Next steps

UNISON has now given Stirling Council formal notice that we will be balloting members for industrial action. The ballot will be open from 2nd June until 14th July.

Balloted members will receive additional communications from the branch on how to vote. If you are not in one of the above groups, then no further action is required.

However, please continue to show your support by liking, sharing and commenting on our Facebook posts. You can also talk to your colleagues about the issues and why they are important to you.

Remember, these groups of workers are taking action for ALL Stirling Council employees, as the changes will impact everyone.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your local steward or the branch.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Caleary

Branch Secretary

UNISON Stirling Branch

An Inspirational Woman – International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day gives us the chance not only to reflect on the inequalities women have faced, but also to recognise and celebrate the women whose leadership, strength, and solidarity shape our workplaces and our union.

Today, UNISON Stirling Branch is proud to honour the exceptional contribution of our Branch Secretary, Lorraine Thomson.

For the past 13 years, Lorraine has been a steadfast advocate for our members—negotiating, bargaining, and campaigning for fairer working conditions, improved pay, and strong public services. Her commitment to equality and justice has strengthened our Branch and made a real difference to the lives of countless colleagues.

Lorraine’s leadership is matched by her humanity. She has been a trusted friend and colleague to many, offering support, guidance, and a listening ear through some of the most challenging moments in our workplaces. She is supportive, knowledgeable, and always willing to stand beside others when they need it most.

Her dedication has often meant giving up time with her own family to ensure the Branch has her full commitment. She has consistently gone above and beyond what has ever been expected of her, demonstrating a level of care and responsibility that truly sets her apart.

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate Lorraine not only as a dedicated Branch Secretary and strong female activist, but as someone whose presence, integrity, and compassion continue to inspire us all. We thank her sincerely for everything she has done—and continues to do—for our members and our Branch.

Lorraine has spoken passionately on women’s issues both locally and nationally, ensuring that women’s voices are heard, respected, and valued.

Through her mentorship and support, she has inspired and guided many newer female activists within the Branch and beyond, helping to build confidence, solidarity, and lasting change. Her dedication to equality and justice continues to strengthen our Branch and empower future generations.

With gratitude and solidarity on International Women’s Day, and on behalf of Stirling UNISON, we wish Lorraine every success in her new adventure.

Unison Stirling Branch LG Organisational Change Policy Dispute/Grievance Update

We advised members of concerns and the decision taken at a full committee meeting of Stirling Council held on Thursday 26^th June 2025 to change and implement a new Organisational Change Policy despite the UNISON Stirling Branch having raised concerns in relation to the changes proposed, lack of information/detail, lack of robust/meaningful consultation and erosion of our members terms and conditions. We issued the employer with the grievance/dispute on the 21^st July 2025.

Failure to Consult Letter Greivance/Dispute

We can now advise that we met with the employer on the 2^nd September to discuss our Grievance dispute, however at that point there was no further movement in relation to our concerns. The UNISON Stirling Branch Executive took the decision on the 16^th September to move to a consultative ballot of all our Stirling Council members on this matter. Since notifying the employer of this decision to move to an all members ballot the employer has reached out and has advised they wish to have further discussions. Whilst we are happy to engage on this matter in the hope of achieving a satisfactory resolution that we can put to our members the UNISON Stirling Branch Executive have made the decision to continue with the consultative ballot in the event that talks fail to address the concerns we have raised with the employer.

On that basis to allow preparation for the ballot we ask all members to immediately check that all their UNISON membership details are up to date particularly their e-mail address. You can do this by going to your MyUNISON account or by contacting UNISON direct on 0800 0857 857. The consultative ballot will be a digital ballot and your ballot will be sent directly to the e-mail address we hold for you.

Forth Valley College Rally

You will no doubt be aware from recent local and national press that Forth Valley College announced last week that they are taking proposals on the future of their Alloa Campus to their Board of Management on the 26^th of September 2025.

While it may feel like this issue isn’t pertinent locally Forth Valley College is a 3-campus college, with sites in Stirling, Falkirk and Alloa – what affects one, affects them all. UNISON is calling for your support to ensure this valuable local education resource remains open for the benefit all residents of Forth Valley.

UNISON Scotland Further Education Branch is holding a demonstration on the 26^th of September from 8.30am at the Stirling Campus – as this is the time, date and location of the Board meeting where the future of Alloa campus will be decided. We ask that if members have the time and can that they support and attend this lobby and join UNISON in sending a message to the Board to delay the decision to allow for proper consultation and full consideration of all options with all stakeholders involved.

The work that Forth Valley College does in the local area is invaluable for students, including some who are vulnerable, and people from all walks of life who are working towards a better future through education. It is so vital that this campus be saved from closure so that it can continue to help build and rebuild the lives of local residents in one of Scotland’s worst areas of socio/economic deprivation.

Recent closures of long-established companies like INEOS and there is still the potential for job loss at Alexander Dennis as well as the on-going potential for job losses across our Local Authorities year in year out mean that the local communities will be crying out for opportunities to retrain and the Alloa campus is ideally located to provide local access to a more hopeful future.

UNISON are seeking full details of the proposals and supporting business cases so that full and proper consultation can commence, this was unable to be provided as the college has not yet finalised its options paper on the possibilities for the future of the college, despite asking the Board of Management to take a decision on the 26^th of September 25. However, what UNISON have been able to glean was that the two options that remain viable for the future of FVC’s Alloa Campus will have effects that will ripple throughout the whole of Forth Valley.

Stirling Council Organisational Change Policy

UNISON Slams Stirling Council’s Redundancy Plan: “Race to the Bottom” That erodes Workers Terms and Conditions

STIRLING, SCOTLAND – 27^th June 2025 – UNISON today vehemently disputes Stirling Council’s now agreed Managements proposed changes to its Organisational Change Policy, warning they will pave the way for redundancies and strip vital employee protections. The union condemns the plans as a “race to the bottom,” prioritising cost-cutting over service delivery and workforce well-being.

UNISON highlights a severe lack of meaningful consultation, with critical concerns raised since February 2025 consistently ignored. The Council has failed to provide essential data or rationale, crippling UNISON’s ability to engage in informed collective bargaining.

“Stirling Council’s approach is an insult to its dedicated workforce,” said Lorraine Thomson, UNISON Branch Secretary. “They’re pushing drastic changes that make it easier to cut jobs and force loyal employees out, all while refusing basic information.”

“We are in no doubt given the on-going lack of fair funding to Local Authorities by Scottish Government that existing staff will be left with further work pressures and will essentially be left to carry the load.

“There needs to be a viable alternative to statutory redundancy payments should posts be at future risk. However, what’s being proposed here lacks detail and has no financial commitment around funding, which is essential to make it work. Sadly, that seems to have been ignored as it was voted through by the SNP in an unholy coalition with the Conservative elected members, and one Independent elected member. Only Labour and the sole Green elected member voted against this,” said David O’Connor, UNISON Local Government Lead Officer.

David O’Connor continued, “In a bizarre twist, the council also voted through the need for staff to sign a settlement agreement at the cost of £600 to £700 per agreement that waives their rights and includes a gagging clause to receive a statutory payment.”

Staffs Key Concerns:

Erodes Retirement Security: Eliminates “up to three added years of pension”, disproportionately affecting women with caregiving career breaks and means that displaced employees of a certain age will leave without any added years to their pension, facing significant challenges in retraining or securing future employment. This outcome is simply unacceptable and demonstrates a complete disregard for the loyalty and experience of long-serving staff.
Dismantles Ill Health Protections: Removes conservation for ill health and allowances, a significant step backward for vulnerable staff.
Mandatory Severance Barriers: Forces mandatory settlement agreements for Statutory Redundancy Payments, creating unnecessary hurdles and costs.
Unsubstantiated Policy: Appears based on speculative future projections, not current needs, deemed “unnecessary” at this time.
Crippling Lack of Transparency: Council refused to provide crucial financial data or rationale for “unaffordable financial costs” and anticipated savings.
Divisive “Two-Tier” Approach: Creates differing policies for employee groups (e.g., teaching vs. other council staff). Lorraine Thomson states: “It appears some are valued more than others.”
Reduced Redundancy Payments: Forces employees out with only statutory minimum, or even no, redundancy payment.
The paper that went to Council : references 5 other Local Authorities that have taken this approach, however they declined to reference this when asked the question by the Green party elected member, however suffice to say 26 other Local Authorities have not taken the decision to go down this route.

UNISON asserts that an effective policy must be transparent and committed to avoiding compulsory redundancies. The current proposal “falls far short,” risking demoralisation and reputational damage.

“We need genuine commitment to the workforce,” added Thomson. “We urge Stirling Council to immediately revisit this flawed policy . Only a collaborative approach benefits both the organization and its vital staff.”

“UNISON have no alternative now but to lodge a formal Grievance/Dispute and consult our members on further action”, say Lorraine Thomson

Contacts:

Lorraine Thomson, UNISON Stirling Branch Secretary, on 07826903559

David O’Connor, UNISON Scotland head of local government, on 07958121861

UNISON represents over 2300 member

Organisational change policy update

Organisational Change Policy – Final Draft

It is with profound sense of disappointment that we are writing to inform you of a significant policy change made at today’s Stirling Council meeting. The Stirling SNP and Conservative elected members have voted to approve managements revised Organisational Change Policy.
This decision, pushed through despite our serious and well-communicated concerns, clearly shows a council imposing change on its employees without adequate consideration or transparency. Frankly, it makes us question if staff are truly valued.

Over the past few days, we’ve shared our deep reservations, particularly about the lack of meaningful engagement throughout this process. To see for yourselves how your elected representatives voted, you can watch the full debate here: https://stirling.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcasts.

We want to assure all members that we will not accept this decision lightly. We intend to lodge a formal grievance and pursue all available avenues to challenge this outcome. Despite our extensive lobbying efforts and the concerns we raised directly with elected members and various parties, the SNP and Conservatives chose to vote through management’s proposal. This was done without even having sight of crucial details or a budget related to the proposed redeployment and “talent pool” initiatives. This lack of transparency only reinforces the feeling that our concerns are being ignored.

We are especially concerned about the impact on our more experienced staff. This policy change means that displaced employees of a certain age will leave without any added years to their pension, facing significant challenges in retraining or securing future employment. This outcome is simply unacceptable and demonstrates a complete disregard for the loyalty and experience of long-serving staff.

We are in no doubt given the on-going lack of fair funding to Local Authorities by Scottish Government that existing staff will be left with further work pressures and will essentially be left to carry the load without any viable alternative other than statutory redundancy payments should their post be at future risk. Again we reiterate the Redeployment/Talent pool alternative has yet to be backed by funding or detail, yet this was still voted through by the SNP elected members and the Conservative elected members regardless.

We will continue to update you on our progress and the next steps in challenging this detrimental policy. This fight is about ensuring our voices are heard and that staff feel truly valued.