Council and school staff in Dumfries and Galloway are facing the possibility of strike action as Unison prepares to ballot its members following the imposition of a pay offer by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. The decision has sparked outrage among officials, with Unison expressing deep disappointment over the situation. The rejected pay offer, now enforced, is said to be equivalent to 67p an hour or 3.6 per cent. Previously accepted by GMB Scotland and Unite, the move has left Unison questioning the negotiation process.
David O’Connor, Unison Scotland’s local government lead, condemned the decision to implement the pay offer, calling it one of the worst employment practices. He emphasised the significant pressure faced by local authority employees and the essential services they provide. O’Connor stressed the need to provide deserving staff with a higher pay rise and highlighted existing strike mandates at various employers.
Katie Hagman, COSLA’s resource spokeswoman and councillor for Mid Galloway and Wigtown West, expressed disappointment at Unison’s response to the pay offer. She explained that the decision to implement the offer was made due to a lack of additional funding from local government or the Scottish Government. However, Hagman reiterated the importance of continuing negotiations to reach a mutual agreement.
In support of the pay offer, Finance Secretary Shona Robison pointed out the benefits it presents to local government workers, including a 5.63 per cent pay increase for the lowest-paid workers. Robison emphasised that the Scottish Government has allocated £77.5 million to facilitate the offer and urged against industrial action, citing the offer’s favourable terms compared to those in other parts of the UK.
The threat of strike action looms over Dumfries and Galloway as the dispute over the pay offer escalates. With Unison preparing to ballot its members affected by local government pay settlements, the situation remains tense. Both sides are hopeful for a resolution through ongoing negotiations to avoid any disruption to essential services in the area.