Lanarkshire council workers set to consider new pay offer

Oct 9 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

PUBLIC SECTOR workers across Lanarkshire are set to consider a new pay offer this month.

Workers will decide whether to accept their employers’ improved offer or continue with industrial action.

A week-long strike by council call-centre staff was planned for this week but was suspended after COSLA held talks with unions.

The unions had wanted a 5 per cent pay increase while COSLA had initially offered 2.5 per cent but a new offer from employers of 3 per cent for the first year and 2.5 per cent for the second was proposed at last Thursday’s meeting.

Stephen Smellie, branch secretary of UNISON South Lanarkshire, said: “Negotiations took place last week and a new offer was made. It was an improved offer for this year, taking us up to the 3 per cent mark.

“We took the decision to suspend this week’s industrial action in order to consult with all our members.

“There will now be a ballot to see if our members want to accept this offer or continue with industrial action. This will take place over the next month.

“The offer is an improved one but it is still below the rate of inflation and it is likely to be below the rate of inflation next year.

“We are not delighted but it is an improvement and members will now face the decision as to whether they want to accept this.”

Call centre services run by both authorities were set to be affected by a week’s strike action.

Repairs assistants, customer service officers and switchboard operators were expected to walk out as part of the campaign for more pay.

This followed last month’s one-day walk out by 20,000 council workers.