logo
Glasgow City Council staff sent strike ballot amid pay row

Glasgow City Council staff sent strike ballot amid pay row

Glasgow Times01-05-2025

The workers are part of tens of thousands of council staff in Scotland who have been sent the papers.
The move comes as part of a dispute over pay, according to UNISON Scotland, who say the ballot is the largest of its kind for many years.
READ MORE: Stagecoach bus strikes suspended after legal threat
The union is balloting all staff it represents in local government in Scotland, with more than 80,000 workers across all 32 councils given the opportunity to take part from Thursday, May 1 until June 12.
This follows a recent consultation in which 92% backed strike action.
The local government employer body, Cosla, has proposed a 3% pay increase for all council workers in Scotland for 2025-2026.
READ MORE: Can you spot yourself? Hundreds flock to Glasgow parks to bask in the sunshine
However, David O'Connor, UNISON Scotland co-lead for local government, said: "Dedicated council staff have seen the value of their pay fall for more than a decade, as wages failed to keep pace with the cost of living.
"These workers deliver high-quality, vital services to communities, despite increasing pressures, dwindling resources and significant staffing shortages.
"Cosla's offer only adds to the real financial hardship faced by employees, especially with rent, council tax and energy bills continuing to soar."
'Strike action is always a last resort, but local government workers have been underpaid and undervalued for far too long.
"Cosla and the Scottish government need to step up and offer a decent wage increase that reflects the value of these workers.'
READ MORE: Thousands to march in Glasgow for Scottish independence rally
Susanne Gens, chair of UNISON Scotland's local government committee, said: "Staff have indicated overwhelmingly that they've reached their limit.
"They can't afford to shoulder the burden of real-terms pay cuts.
"Local government workers are the glue that holds communities together and provide essential services on which everyone relies.
"The Scottish Government and Cosla must recognise their worth and respond with a fair pay offer that values these essential workers."
Cosla has been approached for comment.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Top SNP figures in secret meeting to discuss John Swinney's leadership
Top SNP figures in secret meeting to discuss John Swinney's leadership

The National

time16 minutes ago

  • The National

Top SNP figures in secret meeting to discuss John Swinney's leadership

Attendees said that the First Minister has two weeks in which to come up with a new strategy on independence or face a 'bloodbath' at the SNP conference, The Herald reported. A source told that paper: 'It feels like Groundhog Day. The last time John was in charge he dropped independence, surrounded himself only by people who agreed with him, and pushed out the likes of Margo [McDonald] and anyone who challenged his devolutionist strategy. 'For those with short memories, that ended in a bruising defeat. If he stays, we will be heading for a repeat. What is left of the membership will not tolerate it.' READ MORE: Controversial Loch Lomond Flamingo Land plans recalled by Scottish ministers It comes after SNP insiders made a similar argument to The National, warning that it felt like the party was being headed up by a small, private leadership group and 'heading back into the same old internal splits'. The Herald reported that the Monday meeting was ostensibly about forcing the party to move forward on independence, but there was a unanimous view that the First Minister 'has no intention of putting independence anywhere near the party's narrative whatsoever". Previously, the SNP's former policy chief Toni Giugliano told The National that independence had never been so far off the party's agenda as currently under Swinney. One source told The Herald: 'If there is nothing in the next couple of weeks from the leadership, then conference will be a bloodbath.' Though they doubted that any MSP or MP would challenge Swinney directly, they said it did not matter if the only competition came from an activist, as any contest would be 'hugely damning and damaging, and make the party look utterly ridiculous". Under SNP rules, any member who can secure 100 nominations from 20 different branches ahead of party conference can trigger a leadership vote. (Image: PA) Last year, Swinney faced a leadership challenge from party activist Graeme McCormick, who claimed to have secured the necessary nominations. However, McCormick was later talked out of the challenge after a 'lengthy and fruitful conversation' with Swinney. An SNP insider predicted similar challenges, saying: 'NEC members better start looking for new hobbies unless the leadership announces a change of direction soon — because at this rate we are heading for a mass clear-out.' They went on: 'The ability to make the case for independence is not a desirable part of the job description – it is essential – and he has failed on probation. 'The Presbyterian schoolmaster might fly in Perthshire – but in the rest of Scotland it just does not land. Stabilising the party only works for a short time. There is no energy, no fire, no boldness, no long-term vision.' Last week's Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election saw the SNP lose to Labour by 602 votes. READ MORE: 'Absurdity' of UK position on Israel while still supplying arms called out by SNP MP The party had been favourites, with Swinney calling it a two-horse race between his party and Nigel Farage's Reform UK. Yesterday, the constituency's new MSP, Davy Russell, took his oath at Holyrood and, in a speech on the steps of the garden lobby, said his win could be a 'springboard' to Labour winning power next year. The seat had been held by Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie until her death earlier this year at the age of 57. At a press conference on Friday, Swinney insisted there had been progress for his party when the result was measured against their dire performance at last year's general election. One MSP told The Herald on Sunday that that was not enough. They said it was time for Swinney to make changes to his top team. 'I think a proper ministerial reshuffle is required, and an exercise undertaken to seek new policies. For example, I would call in the former MPs who have experience but have had time to refresh their perspective. 'I can sense that many – for the first time – are now nervous, and rightfully so. 'On independence – again, it can never be enough to simply run a competent devolved government without a vision of what could be.' The First Minister is expected to conduct a limited reshuffle of his ministerial team in the coming days. Swinney's previous time in charge saw the party's vote share and number of seats fall. He resigned in 2004, paving the way for the return of Alex Salmond. Asked by the BBC on Sunday if he was still the man to lead the party, Swinney said: 'Yes. Twelve months ago, the party turned to me. 'I was not seeking high office – I had held high office for a long time in my life – and the party turned to me, at a moment of real jeopardy, and asked me to use all of my skills and experience, and the loyalty I command in the party, to bring people together and focus us on the future.' Professor Sir John Curtice said the close battle for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse did not mean Anas Sarwar was a shoo-in for Bute House. READ MORE: These key economic truths show how independent Scotland and Wales can succeed The election expert told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'The recent message from opinion polls is the SNP is running at just over 30%, Labour is around 20%, so it seems a reasonable expectation that such a result would not mean Anas Sarwar is Scotland's next first minister.' An SNP spokesperson said: 'Since John Swinney became leader last year he has brought the SNP back together and the party is back to doing what it does best – standing up for the people of Scotland. 'In the run-up to next year's Scottish Parliament election, the SNP will continue to deliver for people across the country, while setting out a clear and hopeful vision for their future as an independent country. 'With the latest polling putting support for independence at 54%, the SNP will continue to focus on demonstrating how having the full powers of an independent country is key to addressing the everyday concerns of people across Scotland and creating a more prosperous society for us all.'

EU membership could bring security, stability and opportunity, Swinney says
EU membership could bring security, stability and opportunity, Swinney says

STV News

timean hour ago

  • STV News

EU membership could bring security, stability and opportunity, Swinney says

John Swinney has highlighted the 'security, stability and opportunity' Scotland could have if it was in the European Union (EU). Speaking before meeting Pedro Serrano, the EU ambassador to the UK, the Scottish First Minister stressed this could be crucial amid the current 'uncertain' political environment. The SNP leader said the recent deal between the UK Government and the EU was 'long overdue progress' towards rebuilding relationships post-Brexit, but insisted that it was no substitute for membership of the trading bloc. Wednesday's meeting with the EU ambassador will also involve Slovenian ambassador Sanja Stiglic and Bulgarian ambassador Tihomir Stoytchev. In addition the First Minister will also meet the minister-president of Flanders at an event to mark 25 years of Flemish trade and investment in Scotland. Mr Swinney made clear he regards both visits as being opportunities to build Scotland's relationship with the EU. The First Minister stressed that 'the European Union is one of our most important economic and security partners'. Speaking about the deal the UK Government agreed in May, he said that this 'represents long-overdue progress in rebuilding our relationship' but added that 'no agreement can deliver the economic, social and security benefits we lost with Brexit in 2020'. Mr Swinney stated: 'That is why I firmly believe Scotland's best future lies as an independent country within the EU. 'More than ever, the current uncertain economic and geopolitical environment reinforces the importance of Scotland having the security, stability and opportunity that comes with EU membership. 'In the meantime we will continue to engage with nations and regions across Europe to maximise opportunities through trade, investment, innovation and academia. 'As we enter the next phase of negotiations, we stand ready to be closely involved as the UK Government develops its future priorities for working with the EU.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Bid to stop taxpayer-backed gas power plant as pollution ratings soar
Bid to stop taxpayer-backed gas power plant as pollution ratings soar

The Herald Scotland

time2 hours ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Bid to stop taxpayer-backed gas power plant as pollution ratings soar

The Scottish Government's own Scottish Enterprise agency has admitted support for the Peterhead power station project, headed by energy giants SSE, based in Perth and Norwegian government-owned Equinor while it secured a huge slice of a £31m investment into Scotland through the UK Government's Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge Fund in 2021. The allied carbon capture project was as of March the only one being considered so far in Scotland's planning system, and campaigners had believed that its green credentials were an 'environmental con' and had led to major complaints about the Scottish Government's handling of proposals which have been with them since February 2022. SSE and Equinor describe it as a low-carbon power station and said that it could become one of the UK's first power stations equipped with carbon capture technology. Now Friends of the Earth Scotland has said that the Peterhead project must be stopped after new environmental assessments show that lifetime pollution from the site, which includes the power station and the construction works, is set to rise from 6.3m tonnes of CO2e carbon dioxide equivalent) - standard metric used to compare the global warming potential of different greenhouse gases - to 17.1m tonnes. The revelation has reinforced concerns that ministers had been "misled" over the environmental impact of the project. The current Peterhead facility has been generating electricity for more than four decades but it is now the last in Scotland to burn fossil fuels. In 2014, the existing Peterhead power station had been the most polluting site in Scotland for the previous five years. Supporters had said that the new carbon capture technology could slash emissions from the new site by more than 90%. Then First Minister Humza Yousaf appeared in a controversial SSE 'promo' (Image: SSE) The First Minister John Swinney has rejected complaints of 30 alleged breaches of the ministerial code breaches which included former First Minister Humza Yousaf's visit to Peterhead site and a subsequent 'promo' video produced by the developers because he said it was not connected to the proposals they were considering - a document from one of his advisers confirmed there was a direct link. First Minister John Swinney rejected complaints and said Mr Yousaf's appearance in an SSE video and wearing SSE branded clothing at the site of the station project are not related to the planning application. Another complaint surrounded a meeting on April 2022 between First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon and Norwegian government-owned Equinor, which has said it will proceed with the development of the controversial Rosebank oil and gas field off Shetland. She was told by civil servants to say that she welcomed 'Equinor's continued investment in Scotland' while the briefing stated that 'the Peterhead site is ideally placed for carbon capture technology...." The latter commentary is identical to that produced in a press statement by SSE and Equinor in 2021. READ MORE: Mr Swinney rejected allegations relating to briefings ahead of meetings saying that their receipt is a "passive act" by ministers. He also said that he was "satisfied" there was no evidence of impropriety by officials providing briefings. Former net zero secretary Michael Matheson was also identified in the 30 'breaches' rejected by Mr Swinney. Environmental campaigners believe the allegations should have been referred to the Ethical Standards Commissioner, the independent regulator appointed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body or Holyrood's standards committee. There are concerns that the actions of ministers, who are considering whether to approve or reject the plans, show they are a 'foregone conclusion'. Friends of the Earth Scotland's climate campaigner Alex Lee said: "SSE has been forced to admit its plans for new gas burning at Peterhead would be a climate disaster for decades to come. 'This carbon capture con has enjoyed significant financial and political support from Scottish Ministers who have consistently refused to see the evidence of its vast climate pollution. "Ministers have been fooled by the lobbying of this industry and should be embarrassed by their failure to ever properly interrogate the claims of SSE or order a new environmental assessment when concerns were raised. "The climate case for this project was always desperately weak and now it is in tatters." The companies say their plans for a new 910-megawatt gas power station and carbon capture facility at Peterhead will ultimately replace an existing plant and slash emissions. Supporters say the new carbon capture technology could slash emissions from the new site by more than 90%. They say Peterhead 2 would have a system that could capture planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions and send them via pipes from the power station to nearby St Fergus - where they would be injected into depleted oil wells under the North Sea about 50 miles offshore. Video: The former First Minister appeared in this SSE video. The Scottish Enterprise expressed support for the Peterhead CCS as the plans were unveiled in 2021 and received financial backing through the UK Government's Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge Fund, which aims to support the development of low-carbon and the transition to net-zero industrial processes by 2040. Scottish Enterprise interim chief executive Linda Hanna said at the time: 'In line with our ambitious climate change targets, Scotland is leading the way on a just energy transition. "Supported by key Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Government policies, the Peterhead CCS Power Station project demonstrates this transition in action. "This key energy site in Scotland is utilising the talent and connections within the industry to support wider industrial decarbonisation and will be a key area of discussion at COP26." But activists have constantly questioned claims from the energy firms involved in the Peterhead project, SSE and Equinor, that the facility could capture more than 90% of carbon burned. The capture process aims to suck harmful carbon from the air as fossil fuels are burned - before it can get into the atmosphere. The gas would then be piped to empty oil wells under the North Sea. A study by Carbon Tracker, the London-based not-for-profit think tank that researches the impact of climate change on financial markets believed the Peterhead project could in fact produce five times more than developers have admitted. The new power station is expected to run well into the 2050s - beyond the Scottish Government's target date for net zero of 2045. And last year, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency raised its own misgivings saying that the overall climate impact of the proposed development was "unclear", and that it has the potential to generate emissions that may be "insignificant now but may be incompatible with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions targets in 2045". Extinction Rebellion Scotland and Glasgow Calls Out Polluters activists who blocked the entrance to the SSE gas power station in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire in protest at greenwashing" policies in 2021 (Image: PA) Alex Lee added: "Even the tripling of its climate harm is likely to be a gross underestimate because of SSE's wildly exaggerated claims about how much carbon it aims to capture. This entire scheme is built on the rotten foundations of carbon capture, which decades of evidence has made clear will not work. 'New fossil fuel infrastructure will lock household electricity bills to the volatile international price of gas and keep people trapped in this exploitative energy system that has produced widespread fuel poverty and climate breakdown. 'The Scottish Government can save some face now by scrapping these plans and investing in climate solutions that we know will work today and improve lives - upgrading public transport, insulating homes and creating green jobs in credible industries with a secure future.' Equinor, which provided around 27% of the UK's gas demand in 2022 has received consent from the North Sea Transition Authority for the development of the controversial Rosebank oil field, which is 80 miles to the west of Shetland and the largest undeveloped oil field in UK waters. The field discovered in 2004, has been estimated to hold around 300 million barrels of oil equivalent with a planned start up date of 2026/27. A spokesman for SSE Thermal said: 'In October last year, and in line with evolving planning policy, SSE Thermal outlined its intention to undertake additional environmental assessments for Peterhead Carbon Capture Power Station, specifically regarding the assessment of upstream emissions. 'This work is now complete and has been submitted to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit for consideration. 'The Climate Change Committee, UK Government, and Scottish Government are all clear – carbon capture is an essential part of the technology mix needed to deliver net zero. Evidence and science show that for the UK to reach its climate targets, CCS must be deployed at scale across both power and industrial sectors. 'As Scotland's only flexible power station, decarbonising Peterhead is critical. The proposed new station will provide vital low-carbon flexible backup from the outset of construction to enable more renewables, support the decarbonisation of heavy industry and, create and retain jobs in the North East of Scotland.' A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'It would not be appropriate to comment on a live application. 'A decision will be taken by Ministers in due course, following consideration of the application information, consultation responses and representations made by members of the public.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store