Latest news with #SusanneGens
The Herald Scotland
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Thousands of council workers to be balloted on strike action
Staff will choose whether to stage walkouts as they continue a dispute with local authorities over pay. The ballot will close on June 12. It follows a recent consultation in which 92% backed strike action. Local government employer body Cosla has offered all council workers in Scotland a 3% increase for 2025-26, less than half of the union's request for a 6.5% pay rise. READ MORE: Further Education stewards quit union over dispute Major trade union removes all college branch officers 'with immediate effect' Scottish Water staff strike over pay dispute Unison Scotland co-lead for local government, David O'Connor, 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.' Susanne Gens, chair of Unison Scotland's local government committee, added: '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.
Glasgow Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow City Council staff sent strike ballot amid pay row
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.
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Strike ballot opens for Ayrshire council staff after 'pitiful' pay offer
Workers across all three of Ayrshire's councils are being balloted for strike action after rejecting a "pitiful" pay offer. Unison members will be receiving formal ballot papers from Thursday (May 1) as they choose whether to vote for strike action over pay. Local government employer body Cosla had offered all council workers in Scotland a three per cent increase for 2025-26 - less than half the pay claim Unison was looking for. More than 82,000 workers across all 32 councils will have the opportunity to take part in the ballot until June 12 and a result is expected shortly after. Unison say a recent consultation showed 92 per cent of members were in favour of strike action. 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.' 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 was contacted for comment. When the ballot was first announced, a spokesperson for South Ayrshire Council said: 'We are aware of the industrial action ballot and await notification of the outcome.' A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson added: 'We are continuing to closely monitor the situation with regard to the pay offer for local government employees. 'It would be inappropriate, at this stage, to comment further.' East Ayrshire Council declined to comment. Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Council workers to be balloted in ‘biggest vote on strike action in years'
Scotland's council workers will be balloted for strike action in what a union is calling the biggest vote of its kind in recent years. Unison, the country's largest trade union, will issue ballots on May 1 amid an ongoing dispute over pay. It said a 3% offer made by local authority umbrella group Cosla was 'pitiful'. A consultation by the union previously found that more than 92% of its members were in favour of industrial action. The union cites large council tax rises imposed by local authorities across the country as one reason why the 3% rise offered to workers is 'effectively a wage cut'. It said the offer came at a time when household budgets remain under pressure, with inflation, rent, council tax and energy bills all set to rise. Unison, one of three unions representing council employees, said it represents 80,000 workers across Scotland's 32 local authorities. David O'Connor, Unison Scotland co-lead for local government, said: 'This pay offer is at best a thinly veiled pay cut. 'After years of below-inflation pay awards, council wages have plummeted by a fifth. 'This pitiful offer only adds insult to injury to these essential workers. 'Council staff work tirelessly to keep local services running. 'They deserve better. A pay rise that leaves many people struggling financially won't help local authorities hold onto their workforce. 'Cosla should think again and come back with an improved offer.' Workers will have until June 12 to submit their ballots for industrial action. Unison said it had asked for a 6.5% rise for all local government workers but received less than half of that. The union's local government chair, Susanne Gens, said Cosla's offer was 'simply not good enough'. She added: 'Energy bills are through the roof and rent and council tax are soaring. This inadequate pay offer forces council staff into impossible situations just to try to balance household bills. 'Council staff are essential to local communities, caring for the vulnerable, educating our children and maintaining essential services. 'This offer came just before the Scottish Government offered health workers 4.25%. 'Council staff are no less valuable and deserve a fair pay settlement that reflects the essential services they provide.'
