I’m Backing Local Government Workers

I’m giving my support to Local Government workers as they prepare for tomorrow’s day of industrial action over the recent public sector pay offer.  I will join tomorrow with trade unionists taking part in a Unison rally in Glasgow city centre.

 

Unison, together with the GMB and UNITE (T&G), has submitted a claim to Local Government Employers for 2008/09, which, if successful, would mean that those at the bottom of the local government pay scale would be on £6.51 per hour – this would be a step toward the £6.75 per hour which experts say is the minimum needed to provide the lowest paid in local government with a living wage.

 

Regrettably, the employers’ response of a 3 year settlement – 2.5% in each of the next three financial years – comes nowhere near the unions’ desire for fair pay and fair treatment of the workforce.  To accept such a deal, at a time when the cost of living is increasing, would be to accept an insulting pay cut.

 

I know that workers don’t take this type of action lightly. Trade Unionists know that many vulnerable people depend on them, and I am sure they will minimise the impact by providing emergency cover.

 

I support the call for a better pay offer for low paid workers, and I call on the SNP government to provide councils with the resources necessary to fund a fair pay settlement.