Press Release

Unite members in local government strike as the Scottish government fails to step in over low pay

Wednesday, August 20 2008

Unite members across Scotland will fully support today’s (Wed 20th August) strike action as they feel angry, frustrated and undervalued by their employers below inflation pay offer.

150,000 trade union members will participate in the strike which will cause massive disruption to services such as refuse collection, street cleansing, schools and social services.

Local government workers have been offered a 2.5% increase for the next three consecutive years. With inflation now at 5% this would see a huge cut in workers living standards and would also disproportionately impact much greater on the low paid workers.

Jimmy Farrelly, Unite Regional Officer says, "Unite members in local government have been subjected to a range of efficiency measures over the past few years but the employers have completely failed to address the issue of low pay as this offer would be worth 15pence an hour to the lower paid workers who are already perilously close to the minimum wage.

"The Scottish employers informed the unions that the offer would not be improved as they believe the offer was fair and all they could afford. Unite believe that both the employers and the Scottish government have a duty to intervene to end this damaging dispute and to stop placing the burden of inflation on the lowest paid workers by making the necessary funds available.

"Unite believes that the public will be sympathetic to our members plight which is born out of a sense of anger and frustration."

Unite members will be picketing workplaces all across Scottish councils and service providers tomorrow from 6am onwards.