It
is likely now that a campaign of joint strike action with
the other local government trade unions is the only way to
force the employers to treat our claim seriously.
We need a huge campaign amongst the Scottish Unison
membership to raise awareness of the just nature of our
claim and the employers' dismissive response and to prepare
members for a strike ballot.
Where practicable
the preparations and any strike action should be
co-ordinated between the unions at local level and with any
strike action over pay by other public sector trade unions
throughout Britain.
Regular mass meetings of
local government Unison members to enable them to have a
say in the conduct of the dispute.
Over half a million
workers in our public services will have been outraged at
the recent statements from Gordon Brown that they will have
to accept below inflation pay rises for the next three
years.
Those who provide vital services are
being told that they deserve no more than 2% per year
whilst fat cat executives and big business leaders award
themselves double figure percentage increases.
The local government trade unions in Scotland have lodged a
one year claim of 5% or £1,000 (whichever is greater)
with the employers. This would represent a fair pay rise
against a background of inflation (RPI) running at 4.1%,
average private sector earnings up 4.5%, house price
inflation in Scotland at 14% and energy costs up by over
15% in recent weeks.
The UK Government’s
pay policy will only drive more low paid workers into
poverty and increase income inequality throughout our
society.
Over half of council workers in
Scotland earn less than £16,000 - three years of
below inflation pay rises would create real hardship for
these workers and their families and force many into even
more debt to make ends meet.
SNP
The SNP
Government has said that it intends to make “efficiency
savings” within the public sector. And whilst last
year's pay deal for NHS workers in Scotland, and the
recently announced one for teachers, are marginally better
than those in England and Wales no-one should have any
illusions about whose side the SNP will be on over the
issue of keeping down the wages of workers.
On
the major questions of low pay, workers rights and
protecting our public services the SNP have failed to
demonstrate that they are fundamentally different from
their Labour predecessors or the UK Government.
The role of the trade union leaders will be crucial in the
coming months. With a few notable exceptions such as the
PCS and the Prison Officers trade union the current
leaderships are so tied to the Labour Party that they have
failed to call and lead proper campaigns against previous
attacks on jobs, wages and conditions.
However
the anger of the members and shop stewards may put such
pressure on these leaders that they will have to act.
Already these leaders have been forced into publicly
agreeing that co-ordinated action may be necessary and Dave
Prentis, Unison General Secretary, has stated that Gordon
Brown must not “pick a fight with Unison members”.
Prentis goes on to comment that “the 2%
pay limit is not on”. Even with such strong rhetoric
trade union members must keep up the pressure as many of
their leaders will want to present anything above 2% as a
victory and recommend acceptance of what would be a wage
cut in real terms.
We want fair pay. No to a three year
wage cut.
Public sector workers need to hold
their trade union leaders to account and mobilise for the
strike action that may be necessary to deliver fair pay for
all.