Any pay rise above the 3.2% now on the table for council workers would be “well beyond” the level of affordability of many authorities, local government employers have said.
“Power grab” proposals to centralise social care services in Scotland could see thousands of staff moved to a national body, and the plans face searing criticism from council leaders and unions.
Scottish local government leaders have rejected claims from a union that they missed a crucial meeting to discuss the 2022-23 pay offer amid looming industrial action.
Council workers in Scotland look increasingly likely to take industrial action if demands for a larger pay rise amid high inflation are not met, according to a union official.
A 10% pay rise for council staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is affordable and would benefit the government through savings on benefits and increased tax revenues, unions have said.
Civil service unions have embarked on a legal challenge against the government over a failure to consult on their members’ annual pay rise, it has been announced.
A major trade union has overwhelmingly rejected a proposed National Health Service pay offer, which it says merely continues cuts to wages in real terms.
Government plans to insist strike ballots in key services meet a minimum support threshold will deny millions of public sector workers a voice at work, trade unions have said.
There is mounting criticism from the IMF of George Osborne's austerity programme. But endless moving of the goalposts has obscured the fact that his entire fiscal framework is not fit for purpose
