Biggest council union defy leadership and accept two-year deal

Nov 20 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

SOUTH Lanarkshire Council’s biggest union have voted narrowly to accept a two-year pay deal.

Unison members agreed to accept the offer of three per cent for 2008 and 2.5 per cent for 2009.

However, members of other unions have rejected the deal opening the way for further industrial action.

Ballot papers were issued to over 6000 South Lanarkshire Unison members earlier this month, seeking their views on the latest pay offer proposed by COSLA. The union had recommended that members reject the employers’ offer.

However, union members throughout Scotland, who had already taken part in a series of public-sector strikes earlier this year with schools and services being disrupted across Lanarkshire, voted in favour of the deal.

Stephen Smellie, Unison’s South Lanarkshire branch secretary, this week said members had accepted the employers offer “reluctantly” and added: “The ballot was very close, with a very narrow margin separating the votes. Circumstances have led to our members accepting this offer.

“Given the current economic climate, many members felt they were left with no other option but to accept it.

“However, the figures show that our members are still unhappy with the outcome.

“We do, however, recognise that our members’ striking efforts were not in vain as we were able to shift the employers into offering an improved deal.

“The offer is still the best in the public sector being offered this year.”

Members of the other two unions representing local council staff - GMB and Unite (T&G) - have voted to reject the offer.

GMB have about 1250 members in South Lanarkshire.

They work in cleaning, catering, homecare and roads..

Alex McLuckie, GMB senior organiser, said: “Our members have spoken clearly and this will be paramount when deciding our next steps.

“GMB senior stewards who represent them will meet to consider the whole situation which will include assessing the position of the members of other unions involved in the negotiations and to plan the next steps.

“The recall meeting will take place on November 24.”