Bin and education strikes in Scotland suspended
Waste and education strikes across Scotland have been suspended after trade unions said they would put a new pay offer to members.
Waste service members and non-teaching education roles were set to walk out next week, but talks with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon ended in an offer that could put an end to the strikes.
GMB and Unite have joined Unison in suspending strike action, saying they will put a new pay offer to members which they suggest should be accepted.Wendy Dunsmore, Unite’s lead negotiator for local government, said: “After the latest round of intensive talks, a new credible offer has finally been put on the table by Cosla.”Unite wants to acknowledge the First Minister’s direct involvement as a primary reason for the breakthrough.
“The offer on the table is fully consolidated and as such there will be more cash in the pot going forward for local government workers.”Under the revised offer, workers earning up to £20,500 will receive increases of £2,000 a year.
More on Edinburgh
Related Topics:
There will also be a £1,925 increase for those earning between £20,500 and £39,000, as well as a 5% increase for those earning between £39,000 to £60,000.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
1:14
Rubbish piled up in Edinburgh during the Fringe festival after industrial action
Those earning more than £60,000 will have a maximum increase of £3,000.
Advertisement
Union’s head of local government Johanna Baxter described the offer as a “victory” for members after eight months of negotiations, while GMB’s Scotland senior organiser Keir Greenaway said this offer “delivers a significant amount of consolidate money” for the lowest paid workers.The pay dispute has seen piles of rubbish build up in Scottish city centres and the suspension comes after legnthy negotiations between Ms Sturgeon, local authorities body Cosla and the unions at St Andrews House on Thursday night.
Waste and education strikes across Scotland have been suspended after trade unions said they would put a new pay offer to members.
Waste service members and non-teaching education roles were set to walk out next week, but talks with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon ended in an offer that could put an end to the strikes.
GMB and Unite have joined Unison in suspending strike action, saying they will put a new pay offer to members which they suggest should be accepted.
Wendy Dunsmore, Unite’s lead negotiator for local government, said: “After the latest round of intensive talks, a new credible offer has finally been put on the table by Cosla.
“Unite wants to acknowledge the First Minister’s direct involvement as a primary reason for the breakthrough.
“The offer on the table is fully consolidated and as such there will be more cash in the pot going forward for local government workers.”
Under the revised offer, workers earning up to £20,500 will receive increases of £2,000 a year.
There will also be a £1,925 increase for those earning between £20,500 and £39,000, as well as a 5% increase for those earning between £39,000 to £60,000.
Those earning more than £60,000 will have a maximum increase of £3,000.
Union’s head of local government Johanna Baxter described the offer as a “victory” for members after eight months of negotiations, while GMB’s Scotland senior organiser Keir Greenaway said this offer “delivers a significant amount of consolidate money” for the lowest paid workers.
The pay dispute has seen piles of rubbish build up in Scottish city centres and the suspension comes after legnthy negotiations between Ms Sturgeon, local authorities body Cosla and the unions at St Andrews House on Thursday night.