Scottish Water Faces Potential Further Strikes Amid Pay Dispute

Workers protest over a pay offer described as inadequate, threatening ongoing industrial action.

Scottish Water is facing the prospect of more strikes following a 24-hour walkout by workers represented by Unite, Unison, and GMB Scotland.

Members picketed at various locations including Scottish Water offices in Edinburgh, Inverness, Stirling, and Dundee, as well as wastewater treatment works in Glasgow, Ayrshire, and Lanarkshire, citing a perceived lack of value and recognition from the company regarding their pay.

Union representatives have emphasized that without a reasonable and fair pay offer from management, sustained strike action will occur, potentially disrupting emergency repairs, testing, and maintenance services.

Unite has accused Scottish Water executives of using negotiations facilitated by the Acas conciliation service to diminish the initial pay proposal and revert to what the union considers an inferior prior offer.

The current pay proposal offers a basic pay increase of 3.4%, or £1,050 for the lowest pay grades, over a nine-month period.

Riki Hill, Unite’s convener at Scottish Water, stated that the workers feel unfairly treated and highlighted that the offered pay increase is among the lowest in the public sector, falling short of the average wage earnings for 2024. He cautioned that without progress in discussions, workers may escalate their actions into a longer-term strike.

Unison calculated that the latest offer corresponds to a wage increase of 2.6% or £1,050, whichever is higher, and expressed that members are discontented with the growing disparity between their wages and those of senior executives at Scottish Water.

Emma Phillips, Unison's regional organizer, criticized the offer as insufficient, particularly in light of substantial pay increases for management.

GMB Scotland organizer Claire Greer noted that strikes were a last resort after failed negotiations and emphasized that members are inclined toward further action to secure an adequate pay agreement.

Scottish Water has defended its pay proposal, stating that the 3.4% increase, or a minimum of £1,400 for the fiscal year 2024/25, is above inflation.

A spokesperson indicated that for some lower-paid employees, this could mean a rise of 5.5%.

They underscored their commitment to deliver services to millions of customers and described the latest pay offer as fair and progressive, particularly for those on lower salary grades.

The company urged union leaders to present the offer to their members and return to negotiations.