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

Holding the LGR line?

By Ann McGauran | 09 April 2026

Will reorganisation be delivered ahead of the General Election, and to what extent is the Government’s need to shore up political capital driving decisions o...

PAY

Shaping places that work for everyone

By Ann McGauran | 08 April 2026

Key Cities and architecture practice We Made That have set out five Rights to Place to ensure equitable distribution of resources, services and opportunities...

PAY

How to reap the diversity dividend

By Simon Fanshawe | 01 April 2026

Diversity policies must drop performative gestures and provide evidence of change to the lives of staff and residents if they are to be supported by local pe...

PAY

Councils look to pay to free up properties

By Neil Merrick | 30 March 2026

More local authorities are paying tenants to move into smaller homes.

Popular articles by William Eichler