Colleagues As you will be aware by now in a ballot of over 100,000 members over a mandate for industrial action of 70% was delivered. The ballot was called after Scotland's local council employers offered a 2.5% rise each year for three years. All three local council unions (UNISON, GMB and Unite (T&G)) rejected the offer on behalf of their members. Now the members of all three unions have voted to pursue their claim with strike action. Dougie Black - UNISON's lead negotiator for local council staff said, "This result is a clear rejection of an inadequate offer. Our members are clear that they cannot afford another series of below inflation pay increases, currently running at 4.6%. Stephanie Herd, Chair of UNISON's Local Government Service group said "Our members are not the cause of inflation, they are the victims of it. They have the worst pay, holidays, parental rights and sick pay in the public sector and without them vital services will fall apart. The offer is a pay cut, increases the differential between higher and low paid and locks us into likely pay cuts for three years." The various Trade Unions covering the Single Status employees have agreed an initial day of action for the 20th August unless the employer's side agree to an immediate resumption in meaningful dialogue on the derisory offer previously made. Members are encouraged to elect a workplace steward to act as a point of contact for information from the Branch and to that effect a nomination form is enclosed.
UNISON Members Vote Yes for Strike Action!
| This information will be issued to all members over the next week. Dear Colleague Pay Dispute 2008 Following the conclusion of the recent industrial action ballot, UNISON members have overwhelmingly agreed to participate in strike action over pay. You have accepted that the pay offer made to employees in Local Government does not offer any consolation or reprieve to the ongoing cost of living increases. UNISON, along with our colleagues in the GMB and Unite (T&G) Unions, do not take this decision lightly. Strike action should always be seen as a last resort, on this occasion the employers have failed to recognise that whilst the cost of living is continuing to soar, pay comparators show our pay is falling behind the private sector and their pay offer will see us taking a pay cut! At this stage, a date for the first day of Strike action has yet to be announced. However, we believe that is important to notify you of the outcome of the consultation personally and to thank you for responding on such a crucial subject. We will ensure that you receive information as quickly as possible when the date is set, in the meantime please speak to your local Steward for up to date information. If you do not have a local Steward, then it is important that you elect someone to receive and pass on information from the branch about the dispute. Like yourself, we do appreciate that no one can really afford to lose a days pay. However, you should consider this loss in order for longer term gain. The following table gives an indication of what would happen to your daily pay assuming we gain a 5% increase. NB Please note though that the daily figures are before any deductions (tax & National Insurance etc) Table 1 | Fife Council Grade | Current Hourly Rate | Daily Rate | Hourly Rate + 5% | Daily Rate | | FC 1 | £6.08 | £43.77 | £6.38 | £45.96 | | FC 3 | £7.27 | £52.34 | £7.63 | £54.96 | | FC 5 | £9.50 | £68.40 | £9.98 | £71.82 | | FC 7 | £12.60 | £90.72 | £13.23 | £95.26 | Therefore it would only take no more than twenty days to recoup any losses or one pay period. This would be a small price to pay to achieve an award that we deserve and need. We would prefer to be in a position to achieve a negotiated settlement rather than be forced to withdraw our labour in this manner. However, it appears that CoSLA are not prepared to consider this outcome. We must on that basis act collectively to change their position, only a concerted approach will make any difference. To be tied into a three year deal that is over 1.5% below inflation just now, based on retail price index measures, would be an untenable position to be in. Like most people in Scotland and the UK as a whole we are being hit by the 'credit crunch', if we do not act, and act now, this position will only get worse for us all! UNISON members, along with those colleagues in GMB and Unite (T&G) deliver high quality services, efficiently and effectively day in day out. Our pay does not reflect the amount of effort that we put into our jobs at every level and profession in Fife Council. CoSLA's offer will not help eradicate low pay, it wont even achieve a decent living wage for many of our members. Those of you whose post was 'Red Circled' as a result of Single Status, will rightly ask why you should take part in strike action that will not have an immediate impact on your salary. However, as we have previously advised, the higher the pay offer, the sooner your pay will increase again. Collectively, our members have voted for industrial action, and Collectively we must support this action when the date is announced. Everyone of our members must support this action, Your support is vital in this campaign, make sure that You join the Fight for Fair Pay. UNISON fife will continue to update you on progress with the action and any developments with any negotiations. The branch and national websites will be updated on a regular basis, www.unison-fife.org.uk or www.unison-scotland.co.uk
CoSLA urged to reopen negotiations!
UNISON Scotland stepped up our campaign for fair pay by urging CoSLA (the employers organisation) back to the negotiating table.
Matt Smith (Regional Secretary) said "Over 600,000 UNISON members in England and Wales supported the strike last week, and over 100,000 in Scotland look set to join them!"
For full article go to UNISON Fife Branch Secretary Linda Erskine added "In Fife, we have had members continually complain about their level of pay and how this compares with the cost of living. These complaints are justified and on that basis we need to achieve a realistic settlement for all our members in Local Government."
Linda concluded "Only a concerted effort from Unison members, along with our colleagues in GMB and Unite(T&G), will we have any hope of forcing the employers to reconsider this offer."
Vote Now and Vote YES FOR ACTION!
The real cost of living increases! VOTE YES For action!
This is the second letter that you will be receiving as a Unison Fife member. You should read this information carefully and consider the information contained in this in relation to the cost of living.
To all UNISON Fife( Local Government) Members Dear Colleague
Pay negotiations 2008
You should have by now received your ballot paper in relation to the ongoing dispute over pay. If you haven't received yours yet, there is still plenty of time for this to come through. However, you can contact UNISON'S helpline to confirm that the details that we hold are accurate and up to date. The helpline number for this is 0845 355 0845.
If you have received your paper and as yet remain undecided whether you should support industrial action or not we have enclosed some statistics that should encourage you to Vote YES.
These statistics make startling reading in comparison with the offer made by CoSLA. Simply existing with some financial security for you and your family has become harder and harder for us all.
Bread prices have increased by 44% in the last year, gas and electricity up by 15%, milk, butter & other dairy products up 16% and of course petrol and diesel by over 21%.
As we have already advised you the retail price index, which is the government's preferred measurement of cost of living increases is currently at 4.1%, yet our employers through CoSLA are only prepared to offer us 2.5% for each of the next three years It has never been so important to take part in this campaign, consider the information that is enclosed, Vote Yes for action! If you know of a colleague who hasn't voted ensure that they are aware of the information as well.
If you know of a colleague who is not a member of UNISON, please encourage them to join UNISON and our campaign for Fair Pay.
VOTE 'YES' FOR ACTION!
Please see your local steward. If you haven't got a steward in your workplace then please elect someone to ensure that you receive regular and timeous information. Also the branch website www.unison-fife.org.uk or UNISON Scotland www.unison-scotland.co.uk will be updated on a regular basis.
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UNISON Scotland pay campaign pages
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