Title

HUMAN RESOURCES

Unison warns of looming strike as it awaits pay offer

Scotland’s largest local government union has warned strike preparations could begin next week amid growing tensions over pay.

Scotland's largest local government union has warned strike preparations could begin next week amid growing tensions over pay.

Unison, along with Unite, submitted the 2024-25 pay claim for local government workers in January but the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has yet to respond.

The unions had urged council bosses to reply as close to the 1 April implementation date as possible.

Unison Scotland's local government chair Colette Hunter said: ‘It would appear that COSLA has learned nothing from last year's pay dispute.

‘The last thing anyone wants to do is take strike action, but if COSLA continues to ignore our pay claim then we may be left with no choice.'

COSLA said council leaders would meet on Friday to consider the claim.

Unison and Unite have called for an above-inflation increase for staff on the lowest pay as part of their aim for all local government workers to receive at least £15 an hour by April 2026.

The unions also asked for a pay rise of 7% or £1.60 an hour - whichever is greater.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Unite accuses Birmingham CC leaders of misleading scrutiny committee

By William Eichler | 14 January 2026

Unite has accused Birmingham City Council’s lead commissioner and managing director of misleading councillors during a meeting of a key scrutiny committee as...

HUMAN RESOURCES

'Exporting' the housing challenge

By Paul Marinko | 14 January 2026

The growing tendency of councils to use ‘out of area’ placements to discharge their housing responsibilities is increasing tension between local authorities....

HUMAN RESOURCES

Scottish Budget proposes new council tax bands

By Martin Ford | 13 January 2026

The Scottish Government is proposing the creation of two new council tax bands in an effort to increase funding for local authorities.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Pay body could have 'unintended consequences'

By Martin Ford | 13 January 2026

The Government has been warned of ‘unintended consequences’ stemming from its proposed adult social care negotiating body (ASCNB).

Popular articles by Ellie Ames