Unison Scotland to ballot for strike
- Published: 24 June 2008 16:37
- Author: Simon Ellery
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- Last Updated: 26 June 2008 12:28
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Unison Scotland is to ballot members for strike action over low pay.
The ballot will take place throughout July and follows news that Unison local government members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are to strike on the 16 and 17 July.
A delegation of members will lobby the Scottish local government employers the Confederation of Scottish Local Authorities offices in Edinburgh tomorrow (Wednesday).
Unison Scotland's Dougie Black said: "In Scotland we have separate bargaining arrangements and we are going to be balloting our members on an offer of 2.5% for each year for three years.
The union's claim was for 5% or £1,000 - whichever is the greater.
"This is about the fact that many of our workers have had to accept below inflation awards for the past three or four years, so they are simply playing catch-up."
Joe Di Paola, of Cosla, said: "We did not cancel any negotiating
"There has to be a degree of realism from the unions in their claim - councils are operating within limited resources and are acutely aware that any extra money for pay would have to come out of services."
