Yahoo News Dumfries and Galloway waste and recycling workers balloted on strike action
Waste and recycling workers and street cleaners in Dumfries and Galloway are being balloted on strike action.
The move comes after Unison officials and members rejected a pay offer from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
If members opt to go on strike, walkouts could begin as early as August.
Unison Scotland local government committee chair, Colette Hunter, said: “It’s disappointing that it’s come to a strike ballot. But COSLA has refused to either improve its pay offer or join unions in their call to meet the Scottish Government to discuss additional funding.
“Striking is always a last resort, but workers deserve to be paid wages reflecting their essential roles.
“They’re determined to achieve just that.”
Union officials claim the pay deal would provide a 2.2 per cent increase for six months then a further two per cent increase until September next year.
The ballot began on Thursday and continues until July 17.
Unison Scotland lead for local government, David O’Connor, said: “COSLA’s proposal falls short of Unison’s pay claim. It’s also less than the offer made to the lowest-paid local government staff south of the border.
“It does nothing to address the impact of below-inflation pay settlements that have reduced the value of staff wages by a quarter over the past 14 years. Scotland’s council workers deserve much better.”
A COSLA spokesperson said: “COSLA has made a strong offer at the limits of affordability for councils.
“In the context of lowering inflation and a ‘flat cash’ budget settlement from Scottish Government, it remains important to reward our valued workforce appropriately. We urge our unions to reconsider their decision to reject the offer.
“We are disappointed that industrial action is being contemplated by our unions and concerned that it appears to be targeted at waste services, once again raising potential public health risks.
“We respect our unions’ role in seeking to obtain the best pay settlement they can for their members. We reiterate that we remain committed to doing the best by our workforce who deliver essential local services in every community across Scotland.”
“The Scottish Government urges all parties involved to work together constructively and reach an agreement which is fair for the workforce and affordable for employers.”
