A long-running dispute between Dumfries and Galloway council staff and local authority bosses is over after three major unions accepted a pay deal.
Both Unison and Unite announced their members voted to accept the Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) latest offer.
The new deal will deliver a flat rate increase of more than £1,900 for all workers earning less than £39,000 a year – based on a 36-hour working week– backdated to April 1 this year.
Unison and Unite followed GMB Scotland who accepted the offer last Friday. All three unions recommended to their members to accept the deal ahead of
voting.
Johanna Baxter, Unison Scotland head of local government, said: “Unison members have spoken and voted overwhelmingly to accept the improved pay offer and we will now press COSLA to get this money into members’ pay packets as quickly as possible.
“But let’s be very clear – it was only because Unison members took, and were prepared to take, industrial action that this improved pay offer was even made.
“If they hadn’t stood up to their employer they would have been forced to accept a derisory two per cent increase.
“It was their collective strength that forced the Scottish Government to accept they had a role to play and come up with more money but it should never have got to that.
“The lesson the Scottish Government needs to take from this is that they need to fund local government, and the workers that serve our local communities, properly and Unison will continue to lead the campaign for investment in councils and for staff to get the pay, reward and recognition they deserve.”
A turnout of 64 per cent of Unison members saw 67 per cent vote in favour with 33 per cent rejecting it. More than 70 per cent of Unite members balloted voted in favour of the revised offer.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Unite’s members have voted to accept a pay offer that will help them make ends meet during this cost of living crisis.
“The package will deliver better jobs, terms and conditions for our members in local government and they should be congratulated for the brave stand they took.”
