Unison and Unite members have accepted the local government pay deal proposed by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), which will give the lowest paid workers a 10% pay rise.
The SNP Government invested an extra £600 million to make this happen, despite Scotland’s budget from Westminster being slashed.
The First and Deputy First Minister, three trade unions and the COSLA reached an agreement at the beginning of September, which was then put to the union members.
The deal will see all staff receiving a rise of at least £1,900, with targeted support for those on the lowest incomes.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“As the Tory-made cost of living crisis deepens, I am delighted that local authority staff have accepted a pay deal that represents fairness for workers and affordability in these trying economic times.
“This news comes as we have become stuck under an inept Tory Government that has pressed the value of the Pound reach a record low, facing stark criticism from the International Monetary Fund while the Bank of England was forced to intervene to protect pensions.
“The £65,000 million this cost - £1,000 for every man, woman and child in the UK – already dwarfs the £45,000 million in tax cuts announced last week.
“The contrast between Holyrood and Westminster could not be more stark. It shows, now more than ever, why Scotland needs the full powers of independence to protect our workers from Tory mismanagement for good.”
ENDS
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