Scottish Water Workers to Strike Amid Pay Dispute
Unison union members plan a two-day strike after previous walkout, citing inadequate pay increases in ongoing negotiations.
More than 1,000 workers at Scottish Water are set to strike for two days on April 22 and 23 due to an ongoing dispute over pay.
This announcement follows a one-day strike that took place on March 28, also by members of the Unison union.
The union indicated that during this strike action, emergency repairs and water quality checks will be suspended, as well as responses to reported issues with water supply, sewage, or drainage.
In February, a strike ballot was conducted, where 65% of participants voted in favor of strike action.
The dispute centers around an offer from Scottish Water that includes a pay increase of 2.6% or £1,050, whichever is higher.
Unison representatives argue that this increase does not adequately address the significant decline in real wages that staff have experienced over the past decade, primarily due to inflation.
Emma Phillips, Unison Scotland's regional organizer, expressed concern over the situation, stating that the workforce is frustrated by years of insufficient pay adjustments that have not kept pace with living costs.
Phillips emphasized that strike action is not desirable, but negotiations with senior management have failed to yield a reasonable counteroffer.
Tricia McArthur, secretary of the Unison Scottish Water branch, supported these sentiments, asserting that the dedicated workforce deserves fair compensation for their essential services.
In response to the impending strike, a spokesperson for Scottish Water expressed disappointment at not reaching an agreement with the unions.
They urged for a return to meaningful negotiations, highlighting the necessity for a sustainable pay award.
The spokesperson emphasized that their pay offer is fair and progressive, particularly benefiting employees in the lowest salary brackets, and noted recent efforts to enhance the overall offer in anticipation of a resolution.
Scottish Water management maintains that their proposed pay increases are above inflation and align with public sector pay policies, stressing that both the organization and its employees are focused on serving millions of customers across Scotland.
This announcement follows a one-day strike that took place on March 28, also by members of the Unison union.
The union indicated that during this strike action, emergency repairs and water quality checks will be suspended, as well as responses to reported issues with water supply, sewage, or drainage.
In February, a strike ballot was conducted, where 65% of participants voted in favor of strike action.
The dispute centers around an offer from Scottish Water that includes a pay increase of 2.6% or £1,050, whichever is higher.
Unison representatives argue that this increase does not adequately address the significant decline in real wages that staff have experienced over the past decade, primarily due to inflation.
Emma Phillips, Unison Scotland's regional organizer, expressed concern over the situation, stating that the workforce is frustrated by years of insufficient pay adjustments that have not kept pace with living costs.
Phillips emphasized that strike action is not desirable, but negotiations with senior management have failed to yield a reasonable counteroffer.
Tricia McArthur, secretary of the Unison Scottish Water branch, supported these sentiments, asserting that the dedicated workforce deserves fair compensation for their essential services.
In response to the impending strike, a spokesperson for Scottish Water expressed disappointment at not reaching an agreement with the unions.
They urged for a return to meaningful negotiations, highlighting the necessity for a sustainable pay award.
The spokesperson emphasized that their pay offer is fair and progressive, particularly benefiting employees in the lowest salary brackets, and noted recent efforts to enhance the overall offer in anticipation of a resolution.
Scottish Water management maintains that their proposed pay increases are above inflation and align with public sector pay policies, stressing that both the organization and its employees are focused on serving millions of customers across Scotland.