Council Worker Pay Rise

The lowest rate moves to £7.97 per hour with a general increase of 1.5% for all other worker in 2015/16, according to GMB Scotland.

20,000 members, employed in Scotland’s 32 Councils, are to be consulted on a new pay offer that has been negotiated with Scotland’s 32 local authorities body COSLA.

 Members are being asked to vote on the offer which covers two years in a ballot that closes on Tuesday 29th September. GMB Scotland is recommending that members vote to accept the offer.

Alex McLuckie, GMB Scotland Senior Organiser for Local Government, said: "The lowest rate in local government is to move to £7.97 per hour. There will also be a general increase of 1.5% for all other grades of worker in 2015/16. For 2016/17 the offer is for an increase of 1% with a commitment to add this 1% to the Living Wage Foundations recommendation on a living wage which is to be announced in November 2015.

"This year’s negotiations were just as difficult as previous negotiations as local government in Scotland continues to bear the brunt of the Conservative government’s cuts to public sector budgets.

"GMB Scotland believes the further improvement to the lowest paid workers made in this offer is to be welcomed and is another step in our campaign to eradicate low pay in Scotland’s public sector. Many GMB members working as caterers and cleaners will see a tangible benefit as a result of this offer negotiated by the union.

"GMB Scotland has also managed, at a time when public sector pay policy is set at 1%, to negotiate a 1.5% rise which is one small step in starting to redress the drop in living standards members have seen over the last few years as a result of the government’s mishandling of the recession and austerity measures."