Unions Back becomes Actions in Scottish Water in Salary – Irvine Times

The Union of Gmb, Unite and Unison said their members voted for walks and actions that are not strikes, such as a ban on overtime.

The vote closed on Monday with results published after it appeared the Scottish Executive Team, received 329,000 British pounds bonuses and benefits in 2023/24.

The members of the three unions were voted when the conversations collapsed after the bid to increase the pay of 3.4% of the public utility company was rejected.

Last month, Scottish water announced that accounts in Scotland would rise by 9.9% in April.

More than 60% of those who voted in each union supported a strike – 65% with unison, 67% at Gmb and 71% at Unite – while over 70% supported strike actions – at 73%, 67% and 80% respectively S

Unison represents more than 1,000 workers in Scottish water and has 69% turnout, while 61% of GMB members voted and Unite said there was a “high turnout” of its 500 members.

Unison Scotland regional organizer Emma Phillips said: “No one wants to break the services. The Scottish water staff knows that providing clean, fresh water and dealing with the sewer for homes and businesses is vital, but they think they have no choice.

“Their pay has not been up to date with inflation in the last 10 years and most employees receive less than 31,000 British pounds a year. In contrast, senior managers ensure that their annual pay is measured in hundreds of thousands of pounds.

“What is needed is a reasonable decision that gives the hardworking staff to increase, which is fair.”

Claire Greer, organizer of Gmb Scotland, said: “Our members are again forced to fight for a fair increase in pay from a company where the best executives take a bonus for home records.”

Unite Secretary-General Sharon Graham said: “The membership of the 500 Unite in Scottish water is angry with the double standards that capture the heads of the public authority.

“Strong support for industrial actions should not be a surprise with the executive salary that hits the eye levels, while the poor pay offer remains on the table.”

The unions will be executed on Tuesday to discuss plans before giving Scottish water two weeks for action if there is no agreement.

A Scottish spokesman said: “No one takes advantage of industrial action. We would encourage unions to rejoice in the negotiations so that we can settle this issue in a friendly way.

“Scottish water remains committed to reaching an agreement with our unions, which avoids industrial action.

“As a responsible employer, we want to make sure that our people are paid fairly. That is why we suggested an increase of 3.4%, well above inflation, with a guaranteed £ 4,400 minimum increase. This means that those with lower pay ratio receives the highest percentage of increase in Scottish water. “

The spokesman stated that emergency action plans are introduced to protect the main services for customers before any possible industrial actions, adding: “We will do everything we can to ensure that clients do not have any interference in their water supply and that the treatment of The country of the country waste water continues as usual, despite possible industrial actions. “