C
hildren throughout Scotland face a second day of disruption as college help employees take one other day of strike motion in an ongoing dispute over pay.
Members of Unison working as pupil help assistants, catering employees, cleaners and faculty janitors will stage the second day of their three-day strike throughout 24 council areas over a pay deal the union’s Scottish secretary Lilian Macer dubbed “too little, too late and too vague” on Tuesday.
She stated: “The offer we’re looking for is significantly above what has been offered. We are seeking the Scottish Government to come round the table with Cosla, with Unison, to negotiate a fair pay settlement for local government workers in Scotland.”
GMB Scotland and Unite have suspended strikes whereas they contemplate the most recent provide from council umbrella physique Cosla.
The provide we’re searching for is considerably above what has been supplied
Unison has a mandate to strike throughout 24 council areas on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday which can see many colleges throughout the nation near pupils. Schools will likely be open as regular within the eight different council areas.
Some areas have provide you with compromises to permit schooling to proceed regardless of strikes.
Highland Council stated 27 of its colleges are anticipated to stay open whereas Glasgow City Council stated excessive colleges will likely be open for S4-S6 pupils solely.
First Minister Humza Yousaf urged for strikes to be reconsidered and stated he believed it “is a very good offer indeed” however Ms Macer referred to as on him to get in contact and warned and not using a “significantly” improved provide extra strikes are on the playing cards.
Mark Ferguson, chair of Unison Scotland’s native authorities committee, stated: “The offer is still below the rate of inflation meaning that local government workers are being asked to take a real-terms pay cut during a cost-of-living crisis.”
A spokesperson for Cosla stated: “This is a very strong offer that equates to 10% or £2,006 for the lowest paid at the request of the trade unions.
“Throughout these negotiations we have met every request of our trade union colleagues.”
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Shona Robison, stated pay negotiations had been a matter for native authorities employers and unions and that the Scottish Government would “encourage” these concerned to proceed negotiations within the hope {that a} decision could possibly be discovered.
She stated: “We have worked constructively in partnership with Cosla and councils to find a solution, facilitated by an additional £80 million of funding and flexibility from the Scottish Government.
“We have ensured there will be no detrimental impact on jobs or services as a result of this additional funding.
“Despite UK Government cuts, the Scottish Government had already provided £155 million in 2023-24 to support a meaningful pay rise for local government workers, and provided assurances over funding in 2024-25.”
She stated affected native authorities will be certain that colleges and studying institutions stay open so far as is sensible.
