Mair nor 70,000 local government warkers in Scotland face a decision ower potential industrial action. UNISON Scotland has appened a digital ballot speirin cooncil staff whidder dey want tae begin a formal ballot process. It is da first stap tae a strike dat cuid lead tae mass walkoots afore simmer.

Cooncil warkers are gien little chyce. Dey must decide whidder tae back a move dat cuid push Cosla, da local government employer body, an da Scottish government tae offer a stranger proposal. Cosla has offered a 3% pey rise for 2025-26. Dis offer comes at a time whan risin inflation, steep energy costs an heicher cooncil taxes hae squeezed waiges. UNISON claims dat in real terms, da pey rise amoonts tae a pey cut. Da union furder pynts oot dat da proposal dis little tae rax a minimum rate o £15 per oor for dose in local government.

UNISON Scotland local government committee chair Colette Hunter expressed da union’s resolve. “We’re determined tae avoid strike action, but Cosla an da Scottish government must mak a significantly improved offer, an quickly. Anidder real terms wage cut is unacceptable. Especially as some cooncils are set tae vote on dooble figure wage rises for cooncillors. We need a revised offer dat demonstrates invaluable contributions o cooncil staff tae. We must address systemic laa wage dat his eroded livin staundarts for far tae lang. We are ready tae engage in constructive discussions, but it’s ainly da prospect o industrial action dat prompts action frae COSLA an da Scottish government.”

Da consultative ballot appened on Monday, 10 Mairch, an will rin until Thursday, 27 Mairch. UNISON represents mair nor 80,000 cooncil staff ower Scotland an ower 150,000 memmers in various public sectors includin education, da NHS, social care, polis, watter an energy. Da union is kent as Scotland’s mucklest public service trade body.

Da comin weeks haud heich stakes for cooncil staff an da public service landscape in Scotland. Da warkers’ decision micht suin pave da wey for furder talks or merk da stairt o a widespreid walkoot.