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    Technical Notes 2024, Issue 126 - National Pay Bargaining – Notice of Ballot for Industrial Action

    • Report by:

      Angela Fegan, Executive Officer – Customer Services & Organisational Development

    • TN Number:

      126-24

    • Subject:

      National Pay Bargaining – Notice of Ballot for Industrial Action

    • Responsible Officer:

      Alistair McDonald – Human Resources & Organisational Development Manager

    • Publication:

      This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Member. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.

    Section

    1. Further to Technical Note 90, Monday 3 June 2024, the purpose of this technical note is to update Elected Members on the outcome of Industrial Action ballots by the Local Government Workers bargaining group and advise the latest offer by COSLA to the Scottish Joint Council (SJC) Trade Unions.

    2. Trade Unions had issued targeted ballots into service areas with the below summary of ballots:

    • Waste and Recycling – GMB, Unison and Unite issued ballots, with only GMB meeting the requirements of a successful ballot. 
    • Fleet (Mechanic and Panel Beaters) – only GMB issued a ballot, which was successful.
    • Homecare – only GMB issued a ballot, which is not being progressed. 

    Therefore, at present and subject to notice, GMB can issue notification of action into Waste, Recycling and Fleet only. 

    3. Unison currently have an open ballot for industrial action to its members who are employed in the running and operation of schools and early years provision (Facilities Management, Clerical Admin, Support for learning Assistant, Early Year Workers). This remains open until 29 August 2024. The outcome of this ballot should be known by the end of August/start of September 2024. 

    4. COSLA issued a revised offer to Scottish Joint Council (SJC) Trade Unions on Thursday 18 July 2024 as noted in the bullet points below.
    -  A 3.2% uplift on all Spinal Column Points (SCP)
    -  This offer covers 1st April 2024 – 31st March 2025.

    In issuing this offer, COSLA had requested that our trade unions seek their and their members’ views on this improved offer and that they suspend plans for industrial action whilst this is considered.

    5. Unison rejected the offer on Friday 19 July and both Unite and GMB rejected the offer yesterday, Monday 22 July. 

    6. Officers from all appropriate services are meeting to discuss these outcomes and develop operational plans should these be required in the event of any future notification of industrial action.

    7. Officers will provide further updates as information becomes available on the outcome of the respective ballots and next steps.