
Unison members accept two-year council pay deal
Unison Scotland's local government committee chairwoman Suzanne Gens said: 'This pay deal is a crucial step in turning round cuts to council staff pay.
'It gives local government workers some financial security now they know their pay will be higher than inflation over the next couple of years.
'This has only been achieved because of the determination of council workers to demand better.'
The union's co-lead for local government David O'Connor said there was 'no room for complacency', despite the offer being accepted.
'Local government has suffered over a decade of cuts,' he added.
'This pay deal shows what can be done when people stand together. Our campaign to protect council services continues.'
Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison welcomed the news, urging other unions to also accept the offer.
'I am delighted that Unison members have voted to accept this improved pay offer, which will see valued local government workers receive pay increases of 4% in 2025-26 and 3.5% in 2026-27,' she said.
'Although the Scottish Government has no formal role in local government pay negotiations, we recognise the importance of an agreement being reached by Cosla – as the employer – and trade unions.
'I would urge members of Unite and GMB to join Unison members in recognising the clear benefit of this offer so that all workers can get the pay they deserve without delay.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Scandal-hit Ferguson Marine may build two new Scots ships in hopeful bid to secure future
It comes just days after MSPs urged Nats chiefs to 'urgently' invest in the yard 'SHIP-SHAPE DEAL' Scandal-hit Ferguson Marine may build two new Scots ships in hopeful bid to secure future Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCANDAL-hit Ferguson Marine is weighing up a bid to build two new ships for the Scottish Government in order to secure its future. Bosses at the nationalised shipyard have been alerted to the need for replacement marine protection and research vessels. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Bosses at Ferguson Marine are weighing up a bid to build two new ships in a bid to secure its future Credit: Alamy It comes just days after MSPs urged Nats chiefs to 'urgently' invest in the yard, which is at risk of closure through a lack of fresh work. Ferguson chief financial officer David Dishon, pictured, said: 'We have registered our interest and await details of the tender before deciding whether or not to bid.' Ministers are looking to replace MRV Scotia, used to assess fish stocks, and MPV Minna, which combats illegal marine activity. Both were built by Ferguson in 1998 and 2003. We told last week how the yard has won work to build three structural units for a Type 26 Destroyer being assembled by BAE in Glasgow. Previous similar work has yielded around £7million. Tory transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said: 'The SNP's gross mismanagement since they took control of the yard leaves it at a clear disadvantage in any bidding process.' Government procurement quango CMAL recently handed a £175million seven-ship small ferries replacement contract to a yard in Poland. Ferguson, based in Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, had bid for the work. It has no full vessel contracts after the second of two delayed Caledonian MacBrayne ferries, MV Glen Rosa, is delivered next year. Glen Rosa ferry finally launched from Ferguson Marine shipyard The cost of her and sister MV Glen Sannox has spiralled from £97million to around £400million. Lib Dem Scottish affairs spokeswoman Christine Jardine said: 'A revolving door of well-paid executives has done little to turn around fortunes, while the SNP are handing contracts to Poland rather than supporting Clyde shipbuilding.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'MPV Minna and MRV Scotia are reaching the end of their operational lifespans. This early market engagement is part of a planned renewal programme. We are finalising specifications.'

The National
8 hours ago
- The National
'Largest event ever held in Orkney' opens as global competitors arrive
Some 2000 athletes from 24 island groups – including the Falklands, the Cayman Islands, Saaremaa in Estonia, and Åland in Finland – have journeyed to the Scottish archipelago for the 20th iteration of the games. Athletes will compete for medals in 12 sports: archery, athletics, badminton, bowls, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, sailing, squash, swimming, and triathlon. The games will run until July 18 and are expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors to Orkney, which is said to be the smallest island group to ever host the event. Mascot Ola the Orca shows off the tartan for the games (Image: Ken Amer/Orkney 2025 International Island Games) The Scottish Government said it was the first of a series of high-profile sporting events being hosted in Scotland over the next few years, which include this weekend's Genesis Scottish Open, the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the 2027 Grand Départ of the Tour de France, the 2027 Open Championship, and the 2028 UEFA European football championships. Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: 'The Orkney Island Games represent a significant opportunity to drive economic growth and build a lasting legacy for people and businesses in Orkney and beyond. 'They also provide a taste of what is to come and illustrate our wider ambition to make sure every corner of Scotland benefits from the prestigious events we are increasingly able to attract. READ MORE: Michael Shanks claims cutting Scots' energy bills not worth 'trade-off' 'This is a team effort and the benefits go way beyond the events themselves. The global platform they provide enables us to highlight Scotland to tourists, businesses and potential inward investors across the world.' Anne, the Princess Royal, is to attend the opening ceremony of the games, which will be held in Kirkwall on Saturday. All of the sporting events and the opening ceremony are free for all to attend.

The National
11 hours ago
- The National
MP calls for Ofcom probe after BBC uses GB News clip of Nigel Farage
In an edition of BBC News shown on Thursday, July 10, the corporation used footage shot by the alt-right GB News of Reform UK leader Farage on a boat trip in the Channel monitoring migrant crossings. Max Wilkinson, the LibDems' culture and media spokesperson at Westminster, has written to Melanie Dawes, the chief executive of watchdog Ofcom, urging her to open an investigation. READ MORE: 'Skewed': BBC slated for pushing small boat crossings as top Scottish story Wilkinson said in his letter to Dawes that he believes that the BBC breached section 5 of the Ofcom broadcasting code, which states that the corporation must not 'give undue prominence to the views and opinions of particular persons or bodies on matters of political or industrial controversy and matters relating to current public policy'. The LibDem MP goes on: 'As I'm sure you are aware, numerous parliamentarians and media commentators have expressed concern that Britain's national broadcaster is currently giving disproportionate coverage to one political party, namely Reform. 'The BBC's weighting of Reform's reactions to national and international news is disproportionate to the small number of seats they hold in Parliament. 'It is in this context that I write to request your review of yesterday [Thursday] evening's broadcast. Yesterday afternoon, Nigel Farage's boat trip to the Channel was carried by GB News, amongst other outlets. I understand that the BBC was not originally one of those outlets. 'However, the BBC still carried Farage's comments for the 6 O'Clock News, clipping GB News' own broadcast for their programme. GB News went on a boat trip with Nigel Farage into the Channel, and the BBC used the footage (Image: GB News) 'My issue is not with the reuse of other broadcasters' material in and of itself but with the lengths gone to by the BBC to carry the voice of one politician, lengths that we imagine would not be proportionately extended to other political parties. 'However, I would also add that licence payers' money seems poorly spent on the BBC if that outlet is 'cutting and pasting' other broadcast outlets' content, rather than fulfilling its duties to research and report news independently and impartially.' Wilkinson claimed that the BBC were 'making special allowances' in order to feature Farage, warning that it risks 'delegitimising its platform; undermining its reputation for impartiality; and undercutting its commitment to providing a distinct, unbiased news service'. 'I am concerned that this approach blurs the lines between independent broadcast journalism and partisan political coverage,' he wrote. READ MORE: BBC issues correction after Scottish Government driving test claim 'It is for these reasons that I ask you to open an official investigation into this issue. I hope you will take appropriate action, should you agree that the BBC's due impartiality requirements have once again not been met.' The LibDems won 72 Westminster seats in the 2024 General Election, while Reform UK won five. However, Reform have more recently been polling above Labour and the Tories in UK-wide surveys. BBC guidelines say that both should be taken into account when deciding on the prominence to give any one party's views. The BBC News broadcast which sparked the complaint is not available on the corporation's iPlayer. Ofcom and the BBC have both been asked for comment.