UNISON secures Scottish government and Cosla commitments 

Following a two-week strike in Perth & Kinross by schools and early years workers UNISON has secured commitments from the Scottish government and Cosla to discuss local government finance, a new pay protocol, a minimum hourly rate of £15, and reducing the working week.

These commitments will materially improve the landscape of local government pay negotiations and could bring an end to the current pay dispute, says UNISON.

The union’s local government committee are now consulting council staff who are UNISON members and recommend they agree to conclude this year’s pay negotiations and move to substantial talks for next year.

UNISON Scotland’s local government committee chair Colette Hunter said: “Perth and Kinross members working in education establishments and all our members who rejected the earlier offer have secured these fresh commitments from the Scottish government and councils.

“Our members’ resolve and action has secured a route to a credible offer on pay before April 2025.

“We have also got the Scottish government to come in the room with us and Cosla to seriously discuss £15 per hour, a reduction in the working week and the whole situation with council finances.

“Our members have shown they will take a stand on pay. We are asking them to agree to conclude this year’s pay negotiations and take the campaign for decent pay forward via the commitments we have got for 2025 and beyond.