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Scottish Water union members to vote on pay offer

Jamie McIvor
BBC Scotland news correspondent
PA Media Four people hold signs which read "Lowest pay offer, best tap water" and "3.4%? Are you barking mad?" and "Is this an annual thing now?" and "Fair pay for fair work". A red Unite the union flag waves beside themPA Media
Scottish Water workers have already walked out on strike over the pay dispute

Union members at Scottish Water are to vote on a pay offer made by the company to try to end a series of strikes.

Hundreds of members of Unite, Unison and the GMB have been on strike at the company regularly since the spring.

The most recent was a seven-day stoppage last month.

Scottish Water said the current offer would see pay increase by 7.5% over two years on average. It said the offer followed "positive discussions" with the unions.

Unions believe the strikes have caused the company difficulties.

However, there have been no major disruptions to the water supply on strike days to test the company's emergency arrangements.

The people who have taken part in the industrial action work in a wide range of practical and administrative jobs at the publicly-owned company.

The water industry in Scotland was never privatised and is directly accountable to the Scottish government.

PA Media Two men and a woman stand on a picket line with a large Scottish Water billboard - featuring a glass of water against a scenic backdrop - to their right. PA Media
Scottish Water staff from Unison, GMB and Unite have already walked out over pay this year

Unison is urging its members to reject the offer, while Unite and the GMB have not made a recommendation.

If the offer is turned down, strikes could resume. The results should be known later this month.

The STUC has called on the Scottish government to intervene in the dispute after months of a stalemate.

Unions had also claimed the company had been attempting to undermine the unions in the strike – a charge Scottish Water has denied.

'Above inflation increases'

Scottish Water said it urged all members to vote on its "very strong and progressive" pay offer.

It said the combined offer for all employees provided a minimum increase of £2,850 - made up of a £1,400 underpin for 2024/25 and a £1,450 underpin for 2025/26.

A spokesperson said: "Those on lower salaries would see higher percentage increases.

"This builds on a decade of above inflation increases at Scottish Water that reflects our commitment to the principles of fair work while ensuring increases are affordable for customers too.

"It is in everyone's interests that the current dispute is resolved so that our people can get the pay increases they deserve and continue delivering an essential service to the people of Scotland."