25 July 2008
The battle over public sector pay looked set to extend to Scotland this week, with civil servants and 100,000 local government workers ready to oppose Scottish Government offers.
The Public and Commercial Services union said union leaders were 'furious' at the Scottish National Party's proposal to offer the same 2% capped pay deals as Westminster, 'which is in effect a pay cut for civil servants'.
But PCS members are divided over strike action. The results of a PCS ballot showed that a majority of just 18 members favoured a strike. Most preferred 'action short of a strike'.
Other public sector unions, including Unison, Unite and the GMB, were due to conclude ballots on July 31, which could result in 100,000 council workers joining battle on public sector pay.
PCS Scottish secretary Eddie Reilly described the ballot results as a 'majority decision over a minority government'. He added: 'It is irresponsible for ministers to sit back and blame Westminster.'
A Scottish Government spokesman said a 2% rise was the 'basic' proposed and that the total headline cost was 4.5%. The deal aimed to address inequalities and some staff would receive 'significant' increases.
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