Union urges for ministers to help with Scottish Water pay dispute
Members of GMB Scotland and other unions are striking from Monday for seven consecutive days at the publicly-owned organisation, with a mass rally planned in Glasgow on Wednesday.
Scottish ministers have been urged to get involved in the dispute, which began in June 2024.
Workers at GMB Scotland backed industrial action after the water company reduced the terms of a pay offer that had already been rejected, according to the union, which claimed that executives received record bonuses last year.
Unionised staff voted against an offer of 3.4% or £1,400 covering the last nine months as the company changed the date for annual rises from July to April.
The company branded industrial action 'unnecessary' and said seven offers have been made since June 2024.
Scottish Water's latest offer would see an average pay increase of around 7% over two years (2024/25 and 2025/26), in addition to a 3.5% yearly salary increase. It called for 'sensible' negotiations from the unions, rejecting suggestions that emergency works would be impacted.
In a marginal majority, 51% of Unison workers employed by the water supplier voted to reject the pay offer, and 49% voted to accept. The turnout was 86%.
GMB said 60% of its members voted against the offer, and 40% chose to accept, on a turnout of 78%, while statistics were not provided by Unison.
The strikes will conclude on June 8, and follow two days of industrial action in April.
GMB Scotland organiser Claire Greer wrote to secretary for net zero Gillian Martin, raising concerns about the failure to resolve the dispute.
Ms Greer said: 'It is impossible to know whether Scottish Water is playing games or simply inept, but the relentless progress of this dispute towards industrial action could have been halted at any time with open and straightforward negotiations.
'Instead, we have been given a series of needlessly complicated offers, one worse than the last, as managers spend more time attempting to undermine staff unions than delivering a fair offer.
'It needs to stop and if Scottish Water do not know how, ministers must explain public money is being risked by a dispute that should have been settled months ago.
'The public deserves better and workers deserve a fair pay offer.'
Peter Farrer, chief operating officer at Scottish Water, said: 'This week's industrial action is unnecessary. It will mean union members losing valuable wages and add extra costs to the business which are ultimately paid for by customers.
'We invited the joint trade unions to talk over the weekend but unfortunately they refused to meet without preconditions.
'Given how close the vote against our latest pay offer was, we felt a resolution was possible and would be welcomed by all our colleagues.
'It is now time for the joint trade union leadership to return to the table with a sensible solution that ends this dispute.
'In the meantime, we have robust plans in place to maintain essential services should the trade unions press ahead with their strike action.'
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Ministers have set out their policy in relation to public sector pay.
'It is a matter for Scottish Water and its unions to agree a settlement within the constraints of that policy and affordability.
'The Scottish Government urges both parties to resume negotiations to find an agreement.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Tony Bloom explains who makes Hearts calls on managers and transfers as he endorses Derek McInnes
EPL chairman impressed with the start from his Scottish Premiership club Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Tony Bloom watched from the directors' box as Hearts beat both Aberdeen and Dundee United to start the William Hill Premiership with a 100 per cent record. The Brighton and Hove Albion chairman analysed his Scottish club at close quarters for the first time and is impressed with the work of head coach Derek McInnes so far. Hearts lured McInnes from Kilmarnock in May after he scored highly on Jamestown Analytics' data. He was also highlighted as a good option for the Edinburgh club last year before they hired Neil Critchley. McInnes is now building momentum at Tynecastle Park having won all of his six competitive games in charge, including Premier Sports Cup ties. That competition returns to the agenda again this weekend when Hearts travel to St Mirren for a tricky last-16 tie. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bloom, the Brighton and Hove Albion chairman who also own minority shares in Hearts, Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise and Australian club Melbourne Victory, has no issue endorsing McInnes. He explained the importance of a head coach and how the appointment works. The final decision rests with the Tynecastle board. 'There's no doubt that a football club head coach is critical,' said Bloom. 'Talking about how important the players are, obviously the head coach knits it all together in so many different ways. The idea is you've got a really good head coach who understands the club and will improve the players. In any recruitment of a head coach, it's just one position. If that, for whatever reason, doesn't quite go right, the club in that particular season may not do so well. So I think with Derek McInnes as Hearts head coach I think it's a really good appointment. From what I've seen from the outside, the start is going really well. 'I wasn't personally involved [in hiring McInnes]. Jamestown Analytics, when it comes to the head coach, will have in-depth discussions and it will give some names to Graeme [Jones, sporting director] and the board. It's up to Graeme and the board to make the decision. It's not just about the data with the head coach, there's so many things which go into it. Again, Jamestown Analytics is an advisory service. The Hearts board will make every decision.' Hearts transfer business - and Jamestown's role The process is no different when signing players. So far this summer, Hearts have nine new recruits in place: Norwegian right-back Christian Borchgrevink, Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis, Portuguese forward Claudio Braga, Irish midfielder Oisin McEntee, Belgian striker Elton Kabangu, Scottish centre-back Stuart Findlay, Albanian winger Sabah Kerjota, Icelandic midfielder Tomas Magnusson and Burkinabe forward Pierre Landry Kabore. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jamestown has been heavily involved in them all. 'It's just advisory service, that's all it does,' added Bloom. 'Jamestown Analytics would not want to have an agreement with the club if they weren't using it in the right way. But that doesn't mean: 'Here are the players, go and get them.' It's not nearly as simple. There's a lot more to signing of players than just the data. That is a really significant part but, as we all know, you can have a brilliant player and it just doesn't work out. 'For a club like Hearts, they've got to understand or learn the values of the club. They've got to be the right person in the dressing room. They've got to have the right personality. I'm not saying every player that comes in is going to tick every box, that's unrealistic. But what you don't want is somebody coming in who is an excellent player and is a disruptor because that can really hurt you as a football club. 'We certainly want to speak to the player. The manager will typically speak to the player, the head of recruitment or the sporting director will speak to the player. So I'd imagine there's a lot going on there. I don't know exactly how it works with Hearts, but I've got every confidence that they do a lot of due diligence on the player on top of all the analytics that they get from Jamestown.'
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Tony Bloom makes Derek McInnes Hearts hiring admission as he reveals there's more to transfer strategy than data
McInnes has the jambos top of the table after Bloom insisted that they can spit Celtic and Rangers this season Tony Bloom admits he wasn't involved in the hiring of Derek McInnes at Hearts - but says the Jambos gaffer is vital to what he wants to achieve at Tynecastle. The billionaire Brighton owner, who has invested £10 million into the Gorgie club, has been impressed by the impact McInnes has made since taking over. Bloom has revealed he wasn't part of the recruitment process after Neil Critchley's departure, with Jamestown Analytics and Hearts sporting director Graeme Jones having key roles in McInnes' appointment. But Bloom, who has a 29 percent share at Tynecastle, is a big fan of the manager already and believes he'll be pivotal in any success they have this season. The Englishman has boldly claimed Hearts can split the Old Firm in the Scottish Premiership this term - and is adamant they can win a title in the next 10 years. McInnes has got them off to a flying start with league victories over Aberdeen and Dundee United. And Bloom said: 'There's no doubt that at any football club, the head coach is critical. 'People talk about how important players are but the coach knits it all together in so many different ways. 'The idea is to have a really good manager who understands the club and will improve the players. 'Recruitment of a head coach is just one position. But if for whatever reason, that doesn't go right - the club in that particular season might not do well. 'But I think Derek as Hearts' head coach is a really good appointment. 'From what I've seen from the outside, he's started really well. 'So far, the team has had some superb results and performances. 'I wasn't personally involved in hiring Derek. 'When it comes to the head coach role, Jamestown will have in-depth discussions and give names to Graeme and the board. 'It's then up to Graeme and the board to make the decision. 'With the head coach, there's so many things that go into it and Jamestown Analytics is an advisory service. 'But the Hearts board will ultimately make every decision.' Part of the attraction for Hearts in getting Bloom on board was the access they'd get to Jamestown's renowned data. The Brighton boss believes what that can add to the club's recruitment will help them bridge the financial gap to the Old Firm in Scotland. But Bloom is quick to point out that players won't be signed at Tynecastle based purely on numbers and stats. He's adamant that McInnes will still have a major, hands-on role when it comes to strengthening his squad. And Bloom says only players who understand Hearts and the demands of Scottish football will arrive at the club. He said: 'Jamestown is an advisory service. They wouldn't have an agreement with the club if Hearts weren't using it the right way. 'That doesn't mean it's a case of, here are the players, go and get them. It's not nearly as simple as that. 'There is a lot more that goes into signing players than just the data. It's a really significant part. 'But we all know, you can have a brilliant player and it just doesn't work out. 'For a club like Hearts, they've got to understand and learn the values of the club. 'They've got to be the right person in the dressing room and have the right personality. 'Not every player that comes in is going to tick every box, that's unrealistic. 'What you don't want is somebody coming in who is an excellent player but is a disruptor. Because that can really hurt you as a football club. 'We would certainly always want to speak to the player. And the manager will typically speak to the player, along with the head of recruitment or the sporting director. 'So there's a lot going on. 'I don't know exactly how it will work with Hearts but I've got every confidence that they do a lot of due diligence on players, on top of all the analytics that they get from Jamestown.'
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of people to get free £290 payment this year – see who is eligible
Find out how you might be eligible for a free grant worth up to £2,000 to cover energy bills below HELPING HAND Thousands of people to get free £290 payment this year – see who is eligible Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of people are set to receive a free £290 payment this year. The extra money comes via the Carer's Allowance Supplement which is issued to households in Scotland. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 You could be eligible for a £293.50 payment later this year Credit: PA The supplement is paid twice a year to those on Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance and each instalment is worth £293.50. The first payment was made in June to those receiving one of the qualifying benefits on April 14. The second will be made from December if you are getting either of the two benefits on October 13. If you're due a payment later this year, you'll get a letter from Social Security Scotland letting you know you're eligible. Anyone who qualifies does not have to apply as payments are made automatically. If you don't get Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance because you receive other "underlying" benefits - you don't get a Carer's Allowance Supplement. Around 90,000 were issued a Carer's Allowance Supplement in June, meaning a similar amount can expect payments this December. What if I don't live in Scotland? You might be able to get Carer's Allowance Supplement if you have a "genuine and sufficient link" to Scotland but live outside the UK, in the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland or Gibraltar. Some of the factors the Scottish government considers when deciding whether you have a genuine and sufficient link to the country include: you have spent a significant part of your life in Scotland you have worked, or have previously and paid social security or tax contributions you have Scottish bank accounts or other financial products you have the right to any rented or owned property in Scotland you have any family members living in Scotland you have frequent contact with family members in Scotland Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence Some of the countries that fall into the EEA are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Spain and Norway. For Social Security Scotland to determine whether you're eligible for Carer's Allowance Supplement while living outside of the UK, it goes over some residency details before making a decision on your application. More information on what types of details it will ask for, visit - Other available help It's worth checking if you're eligible for benefits - it could boost your bank balance by thousands of pounds a year. Some benefits come with added perks as well, like Pension Credit which can unlock a free TV licence for those aged 75 or older. Meanwhile, if you're struggling with the cost of food, check where your nearest food bank is. The Trussell Trust has hundreds of food banks across the UK- you can find your nearest one here - The Trust's food banks issue emergency parcels to people who cannot afford to cover costs themselves. If you have fallen behind on your energy bills, you might be able to get a grant to wipe any debt. British Gas and Octopus Energy, the UK's two biggest energy firms, both run schemes offering customers grants worth up to £2,000. Some energy firms will debt match any repayments as well. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
