Stuart Fairweather’s update on possible strikes in local government
Ballot papers have dropping through the doors of school and nursery workers across Scotland's 32 local authorities. Unite and GMB members in education are being asked to take the lead on strike action. Unison will take a similar approach at the end of July.
The three local government unions (Unite, GMB and Unison) organise amongst all non-teaching staff in Scotland's councils. In a similar approach to last financial year sees selected staff being balloted following the rejection of COSLA's 5.25-5.5% offer.
Action in school could see serious disruption if these ballots are successfully and COSLA and the Scottish Government fail to improve their offer. Last year this approach saw the award to council staff rise to 7% but only after workers in waste took action.
Winning support for strike action amongst staff that have traditionally been reluctant to leave the classroom and dinner hall might seem like a gamble but members understand the reality of the 'cost of living crisis'.
The priority now is for each union's activists to encourage a 50% plus turnout and a majority for strike action. This will not be automatic.
Added to this relation between the unions and COSLA have not been great. As with other disputes the prospect of the Scottish Government being drawn into the detail looks likely. The bigger questions of what local government is for and how it is funded long-term loom on the horizon.
Published 10 July 2023.