Members of Unison are the latest local government trade union to ballot members on strike, writes Stuart Fairweather. The biggest council trade union will know the result on August 25th. Recent votes by Unite and GMB education members have seen votes to strike in 14 council areas. Unison's result has the potential add more.
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 year selected council staff are being asked to take action following the rejection of COSLA's 5 per cent plus additional payments in January 2024 offer.
A positive result from Unison members added to the planned action by Unite and GMB could see serious disruption in schools this autumn. This is the likely outcome if COSLA and the Scottish Government fail to improve their offer. Last year saw the award to council staff rise to 7 per cent - but only after workers in waste services went out on strike.
Winning support for strike action amongst staff who have traditionally voiced their strong commitment to the classroom or the dinner hall will require hard work my all three trade unions. It will mean listening, in particular to women members, members who understand the reality of the 'cost of living crisis'. The priority now is for Unison activists to encourage a 50 per cent plus turnout in each council area. This has begun with the support of a Scotland wide social media campaign.
To date COSLA, the organisation that brings Scotland’s 32 councils together, have said they do not have the finances to improve the 5 per cent and additions offer. They have failed to ask the Scottish Government for more money to address the issue. Whilst Jenny Gilruth, the Education Minister, has called for the employer and the unions to get back round the table she has, as yet, not intervened more directly.
The three unions now need to plan for effective action in schools and nurseries should it be needed. They need to highlight that education staff will be taking action on behalf of all council workers and they need to remind the public that local government is essential to maintaining the quality of life of citizens across the country. Council trade unionists need to assert the importance of their work and we all need to highlight the value of local government when it is appropriately funded and responsive to local needs.
Published 15 August 2023.