MyEDC

    Technical Notes 2024, Issue 90 - National Pay Bargaining – Notice of Ballot for Industrial Action

    • Report by:

      Angela Fegan, Executive Officer – Customer Services & Organisational Development

    • TN Number:

      090-24

    • 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 Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.

    Section

    1. The purpose of this Technical Note is to advise Elected Members on the National Pay Bargaining Offer for employees covered by the Local Government Workers bargaining group and formal notification to Ballot for Industrial Action.
    2. COSLA's offer to Scottish Joint Council (SJC) Trade Unions on Thursday 23 May 2024 is detailed in the bullet points below.

    -  A 2.2% increase on all salary scale points from 1st April 2024

    -  Further 2% increase from 1 October 2024

    -  Change settlement date to 1st October

    -  This offer covers 1st April 2024 – 30th September 2025

    1. Unison will hold a consultative ballot with its members, with the recommendation that they reject the offer. Unite the Union and GMB, respective Local Government committees, have both rejected the offer outright without putting to members, and have submitted notifications to Ballot for Industrial Action.
    2. Unite the Union and GMB have targeted those employees within Waste and Recycling. Additionally, GMB are also balloting those within Adult Social Care who deliver, residential and domiciliary care (including frontline and administrative roles).
    3. It is important to note that this is a national pay dispute and not targeted at East Dunbartonshire Council.
    4. Officers from all appropriate services are meeting to discuss these notifications and the need to develop operational plans should these be required in the event of any future notification of industrial action.
    5. Timescales of the ballot process being conducted by Trade Unions and the subsequent notification to Council of the ballot outcomes will vary due to the timing in which they were submitted.
    6. Therefore, it is not possible at this time to confirm exactly when Council will be advised of each of the ballot outcomes.  It is however anticipated that formal notification would be received by late June and early July 2024.
    7. Subject to the outcome of the respective ballots within the aforementioned services, Industrial Action could potentially take place between July 2024 until January 2025.
    8. Officers will provide further updates as information becomes available on the outcome of the respective ballots.