GMB Scotland balloting council workers on strike action

The union representing council workers in the care sector of Scottish local authorities will offer them a vote on taking strike action as local authorities delay making any pay offer.

GMB Scotland says that the continued delay is causing uncertainty and is wasting everyone’s time. The union’s members working at Scottish councils have already voted to back industrial action if local government body COSLA did not make an acceptable pay offer. The vote will close on 19 June.

Workers in other areas may also be balloted on action as council leaders are understood to be discussing an offer of 2%.

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser in public services, said: “This offer is already far too late and, from what we have heard, is almost certain to be far too low.

“Our members have already shown great patience but enough is enough.

“Council leaders must already suspect their offer will not be accepted but continue to waste time and inflict uncertainty.

“They claim to have no money but have made no serious attempt to persuade Scottish Government ministers to provide the money needed for a realistic, acceptable offer.

“They are leaving our members in limbo and Scots relying on frontline council services facing disruption.

“Our members in social care are among the lowest paid council workers delivering some of the most important frontline services.

“They deserve better than this. So do their colleagues and so does every Scot relying on them to deliver the services Scotland is built on.”