A fresh pay offer has been put to Scotland’s Trade Unions representing the local authority workforce. Negotiations between the trade unions, COSLA (representing Scotland’s local authorities) and with the Scottish Government including the Deputy FM John Swinney and FM Nicola Sturgeon have resulted in an improved offer.

The offer consists of:
• An increase of £2000 for those earning up to £20,500
• An increase of £1925 for those earning between £20,500 to £39,000
• A 5% increase for those earning between £39,000 to £60,000
• A maximum increase of £3k for those earning above £60,000
• The removal of SSSC fees where application (social care registration fees)
• 1 extra days annual leave
• All increases based on a 36hr week calculator

Commenting today, Friday 2nd September 2022, following a meeting of Council Leaders, Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson, said:  

“Firstly I would like to thank all our Trade Union colleagues for the constructive discussions.

“The revised offer made shows that Scotland’s Council Leaders have listened to the concerns of our workforce and have responded positively.

“Council Leaders have said consistently throughout these negotiations that we very much value and are grateful to the Local Government Workforce.

“We have sent letters to our union colleagues following today’s meeting and hope that this enables strike action to be suspended and allows our workforce to get back to doing what they do best, delivering high quality essential services for the people within our communities right across Scotland.”

The industrial action which was to take place has been suspended whilst trade unions put the offer to their members. Trade union leaders have recommended that it is accepted.

Johanna Baxter, UNISON head of local government said: 

“This offer is a victory for UNISON members. It has taken 8 months and the industrial might of UNISON members in schools and early years and waste and recycling workers to drag £600m out of Scottish government and COSLA and into the pockets hardworking people.

“COSLA originally offered 2%, then 3.5%, then 5% – we now we have £600m on the table, which is a 7.5% increase to the total pay bill and 87% of our council workers will receive fully consolidated increases between 5% to 10%.

“UNISON want to get this money into the pockets of council workers now while we continue the campaign to support people through the cost of living crisis”

And GMB Scotland Senior Organiser for Public Services Keir Greenaway added:

“GMB has been very clear that more must be done for the lowest paid in local government and this latest offer delivers a significant amount of consolidated money for these workers, including the frontline refuse and schools’ staff that everyone depends on.

“It’s not a perfect offer but it is the view of GMB Scotland’s local government committee that it’s worthy of members consultation and their acceptance, but ultimately our members whose campaigning and strike actions have improved these terms will have the final say.

“In the meantime, we have agreed to suspend all planned strike action so this consultation process can take place and our GMB organisers and workplace reps will be visiting as many workplaces as possible to engage our members on this.

“Most importantly, we want to pay tribute to our members. Strike action is not easy, it requires sacrifice and solidarity to deliver outcomes that make work better, and they have fought long and hard for an improved offer to help confront this cost-of-living crisis.” 

Click on this link to access the letter from COSLA to the Joint Trade Unions: Scottish Joint Council Pay Negotiations 2022/23 – Employers’ Side Pay Offer