M
embers of the GMB union have voted to just accept a pay deal for employees in non-teaching roles in colleges.
The union stated 62% of these balloted backed the deal, which was rejected by Unison on Monday, that means rolling strikes are nonetheless going forward in some native authority areas.
GMB suspended deliberate strikes in colleges and early years centres to permit members to determine on the revised supply from Cosla, which represents Scotland’s native authorities.
Keir Greenway, GMB Scotland senior organiser in public providers, stated 62% of members working in councils supported the deal.
He stated it means low-paid employees being given a minimal enhance of £1.04 per hour, in addition to a minimal enhance of £1 per hour for all different colleagues.
Mr Greenway stated: “Our members have now backed this offer which will deliver a fair pay rise for all council workers, but particularly those on the lowest salaries.
“It is not a perfect offer but is a good one and it was right our members, who were ready to strike in support of fair pay, were given the chance to vote on it.
“We have been assured no council services or jobs will be cut to fund this pay offer and will continue to ensure those assurances are kept.”
Pay negotiations shouldn’t have to be like this
Mr Greenaway stated the present course of, which resulted in the specter of strike motion from three completely different unions, was too lengthy.
He stated: “That it took the threat of strike action for Cosla to make an offer which could and should have been on the table months ago is frustrating and regrettable.
“Pay negotiations do not have to be like this.
“Instead of getting a fair pay offer and the money in their banks, our members have been asked to endure months of inaction, needless delay, and all the melodrama of deadlines and last-minute offers.
“The Scottish Government and Cosla need to sit down with the unions to find a better way of negotiating and ensuring these discussions are done with a sense of urgency and fairness that has been absolutely lacking in recent months.”
On Monday, Unison stated dates for a rolling programme of strikes in colleges and nurseries can be introduced inside days after 89.9% of members voted to reject the most recent pay supply for varsity assist workers.
The strikes comply with industrial motion by Unison members in 24 native authorities final month, main to high school and nursery closures throughout a lot of the nation.
The Scottish Government and Cosla have been contacted for remark.
