Strike Action To Get Underway

Increasing numbers of Scottish civil servants admit their monthly salary is not enough to support their families.

According to a PCS survey, some workers have second jobs to make ends meet, and several Scottish Government staff have had to use foodbanks.

Thousands will go on strike today, including many at the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland.

PCS survey findings:

• Over 40% of respondents to the union survey, launched last week, feel that their pay is not enough to allow them to provide for their families
• Over half believe it would take at least £100 more each month for them to manage without worrying
• Nearly three quarters say they are worried about managing on their pensions after retirement, and some are struggling with high levels of personal debt, including 13% reporting debts of over £10,000.  
• Some members have second jobs to make ends meet, and shockingly some Scottish Government staff have had to use foodbanks.  At the same time, workloads are increasing in the Scottish Government, with 2/3 reporting their workload has increased over the last year.

 
PCS members say they reject:
 

• More work for less pay, with a pay cap of 1% that leaves us with a pay cut in real terms
• A relentless increase in workloads as staff that leave and are not replaced
• Resulting pressure on staff that has seen stress-related sick absence nearly double  

PCS Scottish Government Group President and NEC member Cheryl Gedling said "Scottish Ministers can't ignore this clear evidence of how much their own staff are struggling to make ends meet, and how worried they are about their financial future.  We call on John Swinney to end this pay misery now by giving fair pay increases to all of those who work so hard for the people of Scotland". 
 
Lynn Henderson, PCS Scottish Secretary said: "It is appalling that civil servants delivering directly to Scottish Ministers are reporting such harrowing personal financial circumstances.  This is directly as a result of the downwards spiral in real terms pay.
 
"This is hard evidence to show that public sector workers can no longer bear the burden of austerity cuts, and PCS members across Scottish devolved employers including Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament are taking strike action this week to demand from Scottish Ministers and our employers an end to the Scottish public sector pay squeeze."