Dumfries and Galloway waste workers set to strike as new pay offer rejected

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Unions have rejected a new pay offer aimed at stopping waste workers going on strike. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities is offering a 3.2 per cent increase for one year, backdated to April this year.

However, Unison and Unite union officials have rejected the deal. Both unions have a mandate for strike action in Dumfries and Galloway.

Unison Scotland local government lead, David O’Connor, said: “COSLA’s revised offer puts absolutely no more money on the table. “They have not moved one iota since we advised them that we are preparing for strikes. “At Friday’s meeting we told them local government staff are looking for a pay deal that addresses a cost-of-living crisis and that the value of their pay has dropped 25 per cent over the past 14 years.” Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “COSLA has taken months to put a new offer to our local government membership, and it’s one that does absolutely nothing to address more than a decade of deep cuts to pay and services. “Unless COSLA and the Scottish government move quickly to make an acceptable offer then mountains of rubbish will pile up across the nation’s streets. “The politicians have a choice, and one more chance, to resolve this pay dispute before strike action.” The new offer came after the original deal – two per cent from April until October then an additional two per cent for 12 months – was rejected by unions.

COSLA’s resources spokeswoman and Mid Galloway and Wigtown West Councillor, Katie Hagmann, said: “After listening to our trade union colleagues, the offer does not propose a change in the pay settlement date, which featured in our earlier offer. “It is important to stress that this revised, fair offer is at the absolute limit of