Falkirk Council: Refuse workers to walk out later this month over 'pitiful' pay offer

Unite the Union confirmed yesterday (Wednesday) that Falkirk is one of 15 local authorities taking part in strike action from August 24 until August 31 as part of an ongoing pay dispute.

Kevin Robertson, chair of Unite’s Falkirk Council branch, is now calling on the Scottish Government and CoSLA (the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) to get back round the table to negotiate a better deal in order to avert strike action.

He said: “We believe there is no alternative – our members are angry and frustrated that the pay offer is a pitiful two per cent. This is not a position that our members want to find themselves in but they are adamant that they can no longer be the poor relations in the public sector, having to fight for a fair and decent pay rise.

“But it’s still not too late – the action could still be halted and we call upon the Scottish Government and local authorities to do the right thing, get round the table to secure a fair and decent pay rise for all local government workers.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members play a crucial role in keeping Scotland’s bins emptied and streets clean and they have had enough of the procrastination between COSLA and the Scottish Government that has led us to where we are now.

“Our members across all councils will receive the union’s complete support until this dispute is resolved and a fair pay offer secured. Unite will always defends the jobs, pay and conditions of its members.”

Last Friday, Deputy First Minister – and acting Finance Minister – John Swinney announced an additional £140 million funding for councils to help fund an improved pay offer.

The negotiations will take place nationally through CoSLA and Falkirk Council say they have not yet had any formal notice of the union’s intention to strike.

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of Falkirk Council, said: “There is no doubt that councils face huge challenges in this and coming years, we are all acutely aware how important our employees are to helping us face and address those challenges.

‘We all wish to avoid disruptive strike action and it is incumbent upon us, through CoSLA, to make progress on putting a realistic, affordable, and fair pay offer to the unions. Discussions are ongoing to enable us to do that as soon as possible recognising that the longer it takes to reach a resolution the greater the impact of the cost-of-living pressures will have on our staff.”

A CoSLA Spokesperson said: “We held constructive discussions with Scottish Government last week. Leaders met virtually on Friday and at this meeting agreed that they needed further information.

“Given the importance of a pay award for our workforce, council leaders wanted to seek further clarification from both the Scottish Government and the UK Government and will reconvene this week to further consider this matter.”