Latest news with #ScottishWater
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Scottish Water staff plan seven-day strike after pay offer rejected
Scottish Water staff are to strike for another seven days after they rejected the latest pay offer. Workers represented by the GMB, Unite and Unison unions announced on Friday they have rejected a 3.4% pay increase, and will now take subsequent action 'to demand the fair deal they deserve'. Strikes will begin on Monday and will continue throughout the week, with the last day being Sunday June 8. It follows two prior days of industrial action in April. 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%. Unite's statistics were not available. Scottish Water said it had made a 'strong offer that is comfortably above inflation'. The upcoming strikes are expected to disrupt emergency repairs, testing and maintenance, and a joint union demonstration will take place outside Scottish Water's Shieldhall offices in Glasgow on Wednesday. Unison Scottish Water branch secretary Patricia McArthur said: 'Staff are extremely frustrated. They deserve better than game-playing by senior Scottish Water managers. 'The company seems more interested in spending public money on anti-union tactics than in finding a solution to this pay dispute. 'Its managers proposed a possible pay offer, but then retracted it, only to come up with something much worse.' Unison Scotland regional manager Simon Macfarlane added: 'The latest pay offer falls far short of what other public sector workers in Scotland have received. Scottish Water staff will now form picket lines across the country to demand the fair deal they deserve.' GMB Scotland accused Scottish Water bosses of making the strikes an inevitability after pay talks faltered. Claire Greer, GMB Scotland organiser in Scottish Water, has now written to Gillian Martin, the acting Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, detailing concern about the dispute. She said: 'Doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result is both the definition of madness and Scottish Water's idea of industrial relations. 'The company has allowed these negotiations to stumble on for months when a simple, transparent and fair pay offer would have been welcomed by our members and averted industrial action. 'Scottish Water's refusal to engage with negotiations in a serious and uncomplicated way has led us here and, unless that changes, the dispute will continue and industrial action will escalate.' Sam Ritchie, industrial officer for Unite, said: 'Unite's 500-strong membership at Scottish Water have overwhelmingly rejected the latest wage offer. It only amounted to an extra £250 over two years, which is unacceptable. ' Management also withdrew an offer to increase a performance-related bonus which could boost pay by a further £200, which has further infuriated the workforce. Over nine months Scottish Water has had the opportunity to make a fair and reasonable offer to our members, and they have consistently refused to do so. 'The chief executive, Alex Plant, has refused to become involved in pay negotiations while walking away with a publicly funded remuneration package totalling £483,000.' Scottish Water says it made the pay offer in line with the unions' recommendations. Chief operating officer Peter Farrer said: 'There is no need for next week's industrial action to go ahead. 'Scottish Water has made a strong offer that is comfortably above inflation. 'It is now time for the unions to come forward with a proposal that is fair for workers, customers, and the future of the business. 'We're ready to meet at any time this weekend. It is in everyone's interests to avoid next week's strike. 'If it goes ahead, those who take part in the industrial action will lose valuable wages and an essential service will be put under unnecessary pressure. '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.'
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Waterworks for new 3000 home Stirilng supervillage set to close roads
Waterworks for new 3000 home Stirilng supervillage set to close roads Scottish Water are due to carry out three weeks of investigations ahead of construction of the Durieshill development. (Image: Springfield Properties and Barratt Homes ) Scottish Water will shortly start work to investigate the condition of its water network in preparation for a major new housing development for Stirling. Durieshill - dubbed the 'Supervillage' - will see the creation of a brand new 3,000 home village between Plean and Bannockburn. Homebuilders Springfield Properties and Barratt Homes submitted updated applications to Stirling Council for the Durieshill development at the end of last year. As one of the largest detailed planning applications to have been approved in Scottish history, it spans 600 acres and will include extensive green spaces, schools, shops, and commercial opportunities. Scottish Water are preparing to do some preliminary work, which will mean some road closures in the coming weeks. The critical work – which involves digging several test holes and use non-damaging methods to check the condition of the water pipes - will be done in three phases, with road closures lasting about three weeks in total. Article continues below The first part of the work will take place on Cadgers Loan Road, requiring the road to be closed from the junction at Cadgers Loan to the entrance of Plean Country Park. This work is scheduled to run from Monday June 9 until Thursday June 12. A Scottish Water spokesperson said: 'The second phase of work will occur at the junction of Cadgers Loan and Bore Row starting Thursday June 12 and will last approximately two days. 'The third phase of the work will take place on Bore Row and Roman Road from Saturday June 14 to Saturday June 21, lasting seven days. 'Scottish Water is working closely with local authorities and stakeholders to minimise disruption to residents and commuters, and access to local businesses and properties will be maintained. 'As Scotland continues to see substantial housing growth, we are committed to ensuring that our infrastructure is robust, reliable, and capable of supporting these developments. Scottish Water investigations will require some road closures over the coming weeks (Image: SCOTTISH WATER ) New William Wallace Running Festival set to showcase the sights of Stirling READ MORE: 'This work is essential to guaranteeing that the network operates efficiently and sustainably, both now and in the years to come.' The work will be delivered by McFaddens Civils on behalf of Scottish Water Horizons. The latest planning application for Durieshill incorporates a 'green and blue' infrastructure network which will see a blend of natural and man-made elements, like parks and gardens with blue elements such as rivers and ponds. Open space enhancements, and meadow planting also feature. Article continues below Springfield Properties and Barratt Developments entered into a partnership to accelerate the delivery of a new 3,042-home village at Durieshill, on the outskirts of Stirling last year. Durieshill was officially given the final go-ahead in September 2023 – almost 20 years after first being mooted. Proposals for a new 3,000 home development on the site were first dreamt up in 2004.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
New plan aims to secure Scotland's water for the future
The plan follows the driest start to a year since 1964 and sets out a future-facing, comprehensive approach to ensuring water and wastewater services across the country remain sustainable, resilient, and affordable. The plan addresses the daunting challenges the Scottish water industry faces in the next 25 years. These challenges include increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events like heatwaves, droughts, storms, and floods. Alex Plant, chief executive of Scottish Water (Image: Supplied) The population continues to fluctuate and change, and existing infrastructure needs to be replaced to meet modern demands and improve environmental conditions. Three long-term outcomes were prioritised following a seven-week public consultation and included: making Scottish tap water a national resource; improving the quality of rivers and seas, and the prevention of sewer flooding through collaboration with communities; and enabling Scotland's sustainable and economic housing growth. To achieve this, Scottish Water will focus on collaboration and partnerships, transforming operations to drive efficiencies, and reducing demand on services while helping customers use less water and manage surface rainwater efficiently. Alex Plant, chief executive of Scottish Water, said: "More extreme weather events – as we've seen with the recent record dry spell – are becoming the new normal in Scotland. "The risks of too little and too much rain are increasing and responding to those to avoid harm to customers and the environment is at the very heart of our long-term strategy. "Everyone who lives in Scotland is a shareholder in Scottish Water and we all have a responsibility to protect our most precious resource." The average daily water use per person in Scotland is currently among the highest in the UK at 178 litres of water compared to 137 litres combined average in England and Wales. Scottish Water has warned that without adaptation, extreme weather could result in a water deficit of 240 million litres per day by 2050.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- Glasgow Times
When will sun return to Glasgow after mini heatwave ended?
Earlier this month, the city saw a streak of sunny days and warm temperatures which was brought to an end on Friday when rain hit for the first time in days. On Sunday, Glasgow was even battered by heavy hail. READ NEXT: New Colombian food spot opens up at the Barras However, according to the Met Office sunny spells will return on Friday. The forecast for May 30 says there will be sunny intervals earlier in the day, with temperatures reaching 18 degrees. On Saturday, sunny intervals are also expected with temperatures climbing back up to 20 degrees. READ NEXT: Firm moves 500 staff into new office that 'takes inspiration' from Glasgow Unfortunately, it will be short lived with light showers again forecast for Sunday, June 1. We previously reported Scotland had its driest start to the year since 1964 and Scottish Water called on the public to be wary of how much water they were using during the warm weather.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Edinburgh braced for week of wind and rain as scorching heatwave comes to an end
Edinburgh is set to say goodbye to the sunshine with wet and windy weather on the forecast for the coming week. The Met Office is predicting an end to hot and dry conditions and is instead telling locals to get ready for showers, with rain expected to begin at 7pm on Saturday, May 24. It will be good news to some, however, after warnings were issued following a prolonged dry period. SEPA confirmed all of Scotland was seeing some form of water scarcity and Scottish Water urged customers to be 'more efficient' with their usage. READ MORE: Tragedy as Edinburgh police find body in search for missing Midlothian man READ MORE: Tragedy as Edinburgh man suddenly dies at Princes Street premises Temperatures will remain warm, with high's of 19C on Saturday but showers or even longer periods of rain can be expected during the night. Sunday is set to see cooler and fresher temperatures, sunny intervals and scattered showers which could be heavy rain at times, and brisk winds. On Monday, May 26, people can expect sunny intervals and showers with highs of 14C, on Tuesday, cloudy skies, more rain and highs of 15C. Wednesday will have even more showers, turning into sunny intervals in the afternoon with high's of 17C. Looking ahead, the Met Office is predicting prolonged periods of rain, wind and above average temperatures between Wednesday, May 28 and Friday, June 6. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox They said: "Likely continuing changeable with further frontal systems running east into the UK bringing further spells of rain, with showery interludes in-between. "Strong winds may also develop at times, particularly in the north and northwest. With time the signs are that systems will increasingly track to the northwest of the country, with the south starting to see longer, drier interludes while the northwest continues to see more in the way of rain and at times strong winds. "Temperatures are expected to be slightly above average overall, but will be cooler in any prolonged periods of rainfall. "Meanwhile there is the possibility of some very warm, perhaps hot conditions developing, especially in the south and these bring with them the chance of thunderstorms." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
