UNISON. Scotland's biggest and liveliest trade union, representing members delivering public and related services.
Showing posts with label CoSLA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CoSLA. Show all posts
Friday, 2 October 2015
TU Bill: CoSLA's pledge to defy and UNISON Scotland video
Monday, 28 October 2013
UNISON brands COSLA’s delay claims ‘utter nonsense’
Monday 28 October 2013
UNISON has dismissed COSLA’s delay claims as ‘utter nonsense’ and says the organisation’s decision to rip up its one year pay offer is a kick in the teeth for hardworking council staff.
Scotland’s largest public service union reacted angrily to COSLA’s plans to impose terms on workers for a two year period - completely outwith the bargaining framework - instead of honouring their agreement of one per cent for 2013/14.
Dougie Black, UNISON’s regional organiser, said:
“COSLA’s claims that UNISON is dragging its heels is utter nonsense.
“Our members were balloted and had accepted COSLA’s one year pay offer. It’s completely unacceptable for COSLA to renege on the deal and it’s a real kick in the teeth for Scotland’s council staff who work hard to deliver Scotland’s council services.
“Imposing a deal is no way to conduct bargaining and our members deserve more than these underhand tactics. COSLA needs to get back around the negotiating table and conduct their business in a fair, open and transparent manner and show our members the respect they deserve.”
More information on the local government pay agreement can be found on our website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/localgovt/pay2013/index.html
UNISON has dismissed COSLA’s delay claims as ‘utter nonsense’ and says the organisation’s decision to rip up its one year pay offer is a kick in the teeth for hardworking council staff.
Scotland’s largest public service union reacted angrily to COSLA’s plans to impose terms on workers for a two year period - completely outwith the bargaining framework - instead of honouring their agreement of one per cent for 2013/14.
Dougie Black, UNISON’s regional organiser, said:
“COSLA’s claims that UNISON is dragging its heels is utter nonsense.
“Our members were balloted and had accepted COSLA’s one year pay offer. It’s completely unacceptable for COSLA to renege on the deal and it’s a real kick in the teeth for Scotland’s council staff who work hard to deliver Scotland’s council services.
“Imposing a deal is no way to conduct bargaining and our members deserve more than these underhand tactics. COSLA needs to get back around the negotiating table and conduct their business in a fair, open and transparent manner and show our members the respect they deserve.”
More information on the local government pay agreement can be found on our website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/localgovt/pay2013/index.html
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Inflation up – Scotland’s local government workers deserve fair pay
#YestoFairPay
UNISON Scotland said today that inflation rising to 2.9% is
grim news for hard pressed workers struggling to make ends meet.
The public services union is currently balloting members in
local government on strike action to win an improvement on COSLA’s pay offer of
just 1%.
Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said:
“Sustained high inflation, coupled with a prolonged pay
freeze, then squeeze for millions of public sector workers across the UK, has
hit families hard.
“Parents are cutting back on food, clothes, even on things
for their children – they are being priced out of basic living. Meanwhile, it
is still boom time for British bankers who are dominating the EU bankers’ rich
list.
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
UNISON calls on councillors to back Fair Pay as strike ballot opens
Tue 2 July 2013
Local government union UNISON today (Tuesday) emailed Scotland’s councillors asking them to support Fair Pay for council workers.
UNISON is balloting members in local government on strike action to win an improvement on COSLA’s pay offer of 1%. The ballot opens tomorrow (Wednesday 3 July) and runs till 13 August.
Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said: “We have asked every councillor in Scotland whether they think it is fair that their employees have been offered a miserly 1%, when the value of staff pay has fallen by more than 10% in the last three years.”
The email to councillors points out that there is money available to improve the offer. Indeed the Labour group in COSLA had proposed an offer of 2.5%. Although this was not carried, it shows they believe the money can be found.
Mike Kirby added: “The employers’ offer is the first in three years and in that period housing costs, domestic fuel and travel to work costs have risen considerably. Our members work hard delivering quality public services day in and day out. We believe they deserve fair pay and a commitment to annual rises in the Living Wage. That is why we are balloting on strike action to win a better pay offer than the miserly 1% which was offered and rejected.”
“We believe a better pay offer is affordable - and it would in fact benefit local economies in a big way as council workers spend more than half their wages locally.”
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Media coverage of UNISON council staff strike ballot #YestoFair Pay
#JoinUNISON 5 June 2013
Some of the media coverage of UNISON's news release announcing a Scotland wide strike ballot of council staff...
BBC: "Unison to hold strike ballot over Cosla pay offer
"The union said it would ballot 75,000 members working for Scotland's 32 local authorities.
"Unison described the pay offer as "miserly", following a two-year pay freeze...."
STV: "Unions to ballot 95,000 local government workers on autumn strike
"Local government workers across Scotland are to be balloted on strike action following the rejection of a 1% pay offer.
"Unions will ballot 95,000 members working for Scotland’s 32 local authorities. Those balloted include cooks, cleaners, classroom assistants, housing staff, library workers, cleansing and environmental protection staff, technicians and trading standards workers, early years workers and social work staff.
"Members whose conditions are linked to local government pay and conditions are also to be balloted.
"Chair of Unison’s local government committee Stephanie Herd said: “Members are angry about a miserly 1% offer, following two years of a pay freeze.
“Council staff work hard delivering quality public services. They are overstretched after more than 34,500 local government jobs have gone. They are underpaid, and they see the wealthiest people in this country getting ever richer.
“Our members deserve fair pay and we believe they will vote yes for strike action to put pressure on the employers to improve the offer.
"Around 20,000 members of the Unite union who work in local government are also to be balloted..."
Evening Times: "Council staff in pay row strike ballot
"Stephanie Herd, who leads the union's local government committee, said members are angry at receiving the "miserly" offer after two years of a pay freeze.
""Over this period the value of their pay has gone down by nearly 13%, while the cost of food and heating has soared," she said...."
Radio Forth: "Scots council staff to be balloted on strike action..."
The Sun: "Council workers are to vote on strike action in a pay battle...."
Some of the media coverage of UNISON's news release announcing a Scotland wide strike ballot of council staff...
BBC: "Unison to hold strike ballot over Cosla pay offer
"Local government workers across
Scotland are to be balloted on possible strike action, after public services
union Unison rejected a 1% pay offer by councils.
"The union said it would ballot 75,000 members working for Scotland's 32 local authorities.
"Unison described the pay offer as "miserly", following a two-year pay freeze...."
STV: "Unions to ballot 95,000 local government workers on autumn strike
"Local government workers across Scotland are to be balloted on strike action following the rejection of a 1% pay offer.
"Unions will ballot 95,000 members working for Scotland’s 32 local authorities. Those balloted include cooks, cleaners, classroom assistants, housing staff, library workers, cleansing and environmental protection staff, technicians and trading standards workers, early years workers and social work staff.
"Members whose conditions are linked to local government pay and conditions are also to be balloted.
"Chair of Unison’s local government committee Stephanie Herd said: “Members are angry about a miserly 1% offer, following two years of a pay freeze.
“Council staff work hard delivering quality public services. They are overstretched after more than 34,500 local government jobs have gone. They are underpaid, and they see the wealthiest people in this country getting ever richer.
“Our members deserve fair pay and we believe they will vote yes for strike action to put pressure on the employers to improve the offer.
"Around 20,000 members of the Unite union who work in local government are also to be balloted..."
Evening Times: "Council staff in pay row strike ballot
"Council staff are being asked to go on strike in an attempt to improve a 1% pay offer
"Public services union Unison will ballot 75,000 members in Scotland's 32 local authorities."Stephanie Herd, who leads the union's local government committee, said members are angry at receiving the "miserly" offer after two years of a pay freeze.
""Over this period the value of their pay has gone down by nearly 13%, while the cost of food and heating has soared," she said...."
Radio Forth: "Scots council staff to be balloted on strike action..."
The Sun: "Council workers are to vote on strike action in a pay battle...."
Friday, 1 March 2013
UNISON to ballot members on local government pay offer
Date: Fri 1 March 2013
UNISON Scotland is to ballot its local government members on a final pay offer from councils.
Branch delegates will meet in Glasgow next month (15 March) to decide on any recommendation on the 1% offer from COSLA, before a full postal ballot takes place.
Dougie Black, Joint Trade Union Side Secretary, said the local government unions had wanted to negotiate to have the offer improved, but that the employers had made it clear this was their final offer.
It has two parts – a 1% increase for all staff and a Scottish Local Government Living Wage, set at £7.50 per hour. The offer is for a single year, applicable from 1 April 2013.
Dougie said: “We welcome the fact that the employers have finally gone some way to addressing low pay by the introduction of a Living Wage. This has been a key component of our pay claims for the last few years.
“However, we are disappointed at the level of the offer at 1%. This has to be seen in the context of local government workers only having seen pay increase by 0.65% over the last three years, while many other public sector workers earning under £21,000 have received an annual payment of £250. And of course the cost of living has gone up, with big energy and food price increases.”
UNISON is also concerned that COSLA has not promised to uprate the Living Wage annually, leaving this up to individual councils. The union will continue to pursue this.
For further information please contact:Dougie Black, UNISON's Regional Organiser, on 07958 121 851
Stephanie Herd, Chair of Local Government Committee, 07989 544162
Malcolm Burns, Communications Officer, 0141 342 2877 or 07876 566 978
Fiona Montgomery, Communications Officer, 0141 342 2877 or 07508 877 000
Stephanie Herd, Chair of Local Government Committee, 07989 544162
Malcolm Burns, Communications Officer, 0141 342 2877 or 07876 566 978
Fiona Montgomery, Communications Officer, 0141 342 2877 or 07508 877 000
Notes to editors:
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing 160,000 members working in the public sector in Scotland - including all of Scotland's local authiroties.
2.More information about the Local Government Pay Campaign 2013 is on our website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/localgovt/pay2013/
2.More information about the Local Government Pay Campaign 2013 is on our website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/localgovt/pay2013/
.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Union warns on public safety concerns raised in Audit Scotland report
Thursday 31 Jan 2013
UNISON today (Thursday) warned that damaging cuts to trading standards and food safety services in environmental health are putting the public at risk when safety should be paramount.
The public service union welcomed the fact that a new Audit Scotland report highlights the pressures on these essential services and calls for urgent action to strengthen protection for consumers.
Dave Watson, Head of Bargaining and Campaigns, said:
"Our members working in trading standards and food safety, within environmental health departments, tell us about many of the concerns noted in this report.
“For Audit Scotland to find that ‘the long term viability of councils’ trading standards services is under threat’ and to raise concerns about food safety staffing and training levels and loss of expertise demonstrates the seriousness of issues we have raised consistently.
“Members of the public expect to be able to rely on checks being carried out and expect these key services to be properly funded. This is another example of the enormous damage to vital public services caused by government funding cuts at UK, Scottish and local levels.”
The report suggests that COSLA and councils work together to ensure strong national co-ordination for trading standards. UNISON supports co-ordination and collaborative working, but would be sceptical about any suggestion that there should be a national service.
Dave added:
“The recent horse meat in burgers scandal also highlighted the importance of independent meat inspection in abattoirs. There is industry lobbying and EU consideration of relaxing the current standards. UNISON wants to ensure that there is no threat of privatisation and industry self-regulation. We must maintain an independent meat hygiene inspection service as this service is being devolved to Scotland.”
For information please contact:
Dave Watson, Head of Bargaining and Campaigns, 07958 122 409
Fiona Montgomery, Communications Officer, 0141 342 2877 or 07508 877 000
Malcolm Burns, Communications Officer, 0141 342 2877 or 07876 566 978
Note for editors
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing 160,000 members working mainly in the public sector in Scotland and represents staff in council trading standards and environmental health departments.
2. UNISON was responding to the Audit Scotland report ‘Protecting Consumers’.
.
UNISON today (Thursday) warned that damaging cuts to trading standards and food safety services in environmental health are putting the public at risk when safety should be paramount.
The public service union welcomed the fact that a new Audit Scotland report highlights the pressures on these essential services and calls for urgent action to strengthen protection for consumers.
Dave Watson, Head of Bargaining and Campaigns, said:
"Our members working in trading standards and food safety, within environmental health departments, tell us about many of the concerns noted in this report.
“For Audit Scotland to find that ‘the long term viability of councils’ trading standards services is under threat’ and to raise concerns about food safety staffing and training levels and loss of expertise demonstrates the seriousness of issues we have raised consistently.
“Members of the public expect to be able to rely on checks being carried out and expect these key services to be properly funded. This is another example of the enormous damage to vital public services caused by government funding cuts at UK, Scottish and local levels.”
The report suggests that COSLA and councils work together to ensure strong national co-ordination for trading standards. UNISON supports co-ordination and collaborative working, but would be sceptical about any suggestion that there should be a national service.
Dave added:
“The recent horse meat in burgers scandal also highlighted the importance of independent meat inspection in abattoirs. There is industry lobbying and EU consideration of relaxing the current standards. UNISON wants to ensure that there is no threat of privatisation and industry self-regulation. We must maintain an independent meat hygiene inspection service as this service is being devolved to Scotland.”
For information please contact:
Dave Watson, Head of Bargaining and Campaigns, 07958 122 409
Fiona Montgomery, Communications Officer, 0141 342 2877 or 07508 877 000
Malcolm Burns, Communications Officer, 0141 342 2877 or 07876 566 978
Note for editors
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing 160,000 members working mainly in the public sector in Scotland and represents staff in council trading standards and environmental health departments.
2. UNISON was responding to the Audit Scotland report ‘Protecting Consumers’.
.
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
UNISON warns Borders Council against breaking from national pay framework
Wed 9 Jan 2013
Local government union UNISON today called on Borders Council to step back from imposing an unpopular pay and conditions deal on its workforce. The move would introduce a two-tier workforce – leaving new staff significantly worse off - at a time when a Scottish Government and STUC protocol aims to eradicate these.
UNISON - along with the other staff unions Unite and GMB - wants the local authority to return to talks based around the respected national pay framework.
Mike Kirby, Scottish Secretary of UNISON, said:
“Borders Council has decided to unilaterally impose a separate set of terms and conditions on new staff which amount to pay cuts over and above the wage freeze our members have had to face for years now. None of the unions were involved in any discussion about this with CoSLA, the local government employers’ body. The Scottish Government, CoSLA and the unions support the aim of a Living Wage for all workers providing public services – what Borders Council is now doing runs directly counter to that aim.
“This move by Borders Council is unacceptable – there is already a national pay framework which is respected by all the unions and all other councils. We will be raising the issue with CoSLA at the first opportunity. In the meantime we call on Borders Council to step back from imposing this and return to talk to the three unions about an agreed way forward within the national framework.”
UNISON’s Borders local government branch has joined with Unite and GMB to plan a joint campaign against the unpopular move by the council.
Branch secretary Edith Moody said:
“We are angry that our employers the Borders Councillors have seen fit to impose this on us against national agreements and without any proper consultation.
“It is absolutely unfair for new staff to join on different and worse terms and conditions. They will be on spot pay at the bottom of the grade. This flies in the face of the job evaluation scheme outcomes and, in our view, could potentially leave the council open to equal pay claims
“Borders Council is one of the main employers in this area where work is increasingly hard to find. They are doing this because they believe they can get away with it. But the impact on the community of this seems totally missed by the council.
“The pay freeze has already led to a long term decrease of money within the area, and we fear that more young people will potentially leave the area to find better paid work which will further damage the local economy.”
ENDS
Notes for editors
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing 160,000 members working mainly in the public sector in Scotland and represents staff in all of Scotland’s local authorities.
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