Council staff awarded pay rise that was rejected by union

Council staff will be awarded a pay rise - even though the offer was overwhelmingly rejected by their biggest union.

The pay offer - an increase of either 3.6% or £1,292 - was made to see off the threat of bin strikes in August.

Members of the GMB and Unite accepted the offer, but Unison rejected it and has warned that strikes are still possible.

Council leaders approved the rise at their regular meeting of the council umbrella body Cosla.

Staff had been waiting for their annual pay rise since April. The offer covers virtually all council staff across Scotland except teachers.

As all full time staff would get a minimum rise of £1,292, it is worth most in percentage terms to the lowest paid.

The Scottish government made extra resources available so councils could improve on a previous pay offer - which was worth 3.2% for all staff - but it has made clear that no more money for pay is available this year.

The GMB and Unite wanted their members to get the rise they voted for as soon as possible. The rise would be backdated to April.

These unions represent a large proportion of lower paid council staff.

But members of Unison, the biggest union, voted to reject it. The union believes more needs to be done to address what it sees as the long-term decline in the value of council pay.

Unison argues council staff have seen the value of their pay fall by 25% over the last 14 years and says councils are facing problems recruiting staff for some roles.

It has warned of the risk of strikes and may ballot more council workers on action.

Councils said using any more of their money for pay would mean further cuts to services or job losses.