Title

PAY

Scottish council workers reject 5% pay offer

Waste service workers will today go on strike across 14 local authority areas in Scotland after trade union Unite rejected a 5% pay offer.

Waste service workers will today go on strike across 14 local authority areas in Scotland after trade union Unite rejected a 5% pay offer.

Unite's local government committee rejected outright the 5% pay offer from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). 

According to the union, for more than half of local government workers, COSLA's offer represents an increase of between £900 and £1,250.

In comparison, in England, council workers have been offered a £1,925 flat rate pay offer.

Unite industrial officer Wendy Dunsmore said: ‘It's a sad indictment that council workers in Scotland are being offered substantially less than their counterparts in England.

‘The offer on the table just doesn't help the lowest paid make ends meet.

‘This dispute will continue to escalate to a point where it could now go beyond the winter, causing months of massive nationwide disruption.'

PAY

Government rejects SEND power expansion for councils

By Martin Ford | 23 June 2026

The Government has rejected calls by MPs to boost councils’ powers over health partners to provide Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

PAY

EXCLUSIVE: Second home owners paying up on council tax, leaders say

By Neil Merrick | 23 June 2026

Most second home owners who face double council tax are paying up rather than selling or converting their properties to holiday lets, according to council le...

PAY

Union issues strike threat over 3.3% pay offer

By William Eichler | 15 June 2026

Thousands of council workers could walk out on strike after their union vowed to ballot members over what it called an ‘unacceptable’ pay offer.

PAY

Scottish councils funding falling short

By Paul Marinko | 11 June 2026

Funding for Scottish councils is failing to keep pace with rising costs and demand according to the Accounts Commission.

Popular articles by William Eichler