Tag: politics

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 26th 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 21st July 2025.

Failure to Consult Letter Greivance/Dispute

We can now advise that we met with the employer on the 2nd 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 16th 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.

UNISON Scotland LG SJC Pay Update

SJC Pay Uplift 2024 – 2025

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.