Unions Vote for Strike Action at Scottish Water Over Pay Dispute
Scottish Water staff support industrial action following rejection of pay offer amid rising executive bonuses and forthcoming price hikes.
Hundreds of staff at Scottish Water have voted in favor of strike action amid an escalating dispute over pay.
The GMB, Unite, and Unison unions reported that their members backed both strike actions and measures short of a strike, such as an overtime ban, following a ballot that closed on Monday.
The unions conducted the ballot after negotiations for a pay rise collapsed, with Scottish Water’s offer of a 3.4% increase being rejected by union representatives.
The timing of the ballot coincided with the announcement that the executive team at Scottish Water was awarded £329,000 in bonuses and benefits for the financial year 2023/24.
Approximately 60% of members from each participating union supported the call for industrial action, with 65% from Unison, 67% from GMB, and 71% from Unite voting in favor.
Additionally, a significant majority of members backed action short of a strike, with support levels of 73% for Unison, 67% for GMB, and 80% for Unite.
Unison represents over 1,000 workers within Scottish Water, achieving a 69% turnout in the vote, while GMB reported a turnout of 61%.
Unite, representing about 500 members, noted a 'high turnout' among its membership.
Emma Phillips, the regional organizer for Unison in Scotland, emphasized the importance of the services provided by Scottish Water, stating that while members are reluctant to cause disruption, they feel compelled to act due to inadequate compensation that has failed to keep pace with inflation over the past decade.
She highlighted that many staff earn less than £31,000 per year, contrasting this with the high salaries of senior management.
Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, criticized the disparity in pay, reiterating the anger among union members regarding the increased executive compensation during a time when staff are struggling with poor pay offers.
Claire Greer, a GMB Scotland organizer, echoed these sentiments, stating that members feel compelled to demand a fair pay rise in light of the executives' substantial bonuses.
The unions are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss potential plans for industrial action and will provide Scottish Water with two weeks’ notice if no agreement is reached.
In response, a spokesperson for Scottish Water expressed the desire to avoid industrial action, stating, 'No-one benefits from industrial action.' The spokesperson encouraged unions to return to negotiations with the aim of reaching an amicable settlement.
They reiterated the company's commitment to fair pay, highlighting the offer of a 3.4% pay rise, which is said to be significantly above inflation, along with a guaranteed minimum increase of £1,400, benefiting lower salary grades.
Efforts are being made by Scottish Water to develop contingency plans to ensure that essential services remain operational in the event of industrial action, with assurances provided that water supplies and wastewater treatment will continue without disruption.
The GMB, Unite, and Unison unions reported that their members backed both strike actions and measures short of a strike, such as an overtime ban, following a ballot that closed on Monday.
The unions conducted the ballot after negotiations for a pay rise collapsed, with Scottish Water’s offer of a 3.4% increase being rejected by union representatives.
The timing of the ballot coincided with the announcement that the executive team at Scottish Water was awarded £329,000 in bonuses and benefits for the financial year 2023/24.
Approximately 60% of members from each participating union supported the call for industrial action, with 65% from Unison, 67% from GMB, and 71% from Unite voting in favor.
Additionally, a significant majority of members backed action short of a strike, with support levels of 73% for Unison, 67% for GMB, and 80% for Unite.
Unison represents over 1,000 workers within Scottish Water, achieving a 69% turnout in the vote, while GMB reported a turnout of 61%.
Unite, representing about 500 members, noted a 'high turnout' among its membership.
Emma Phillips, the regional organizer for Unison in Scotland, emphasized the importance of the services provided by Scottish Water, stating that while members are reluctant to cause disruption, they feel compelled to act due to inadequate compensation that has failed to keep pace with inflation over the past decade.
She highlighted that many staff earn less than £31,000 per year, contrasting this with the high salaries of senior management.
Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, criticized the disparity in pay, reiterating the anger among union members regarding the increased executive compensation during a time when staff are struggling with poor pay offers.
Claire Greer, a GMB Scotland organizer, echoed these sentiments, stating that members feel compelled to demand a fair pay rise in light of the executives' substantial bonuses.
The unions are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss potential plans for industrial action and will provide Scottish Water with two weeks’ notice if no agreement is reached.
In response, a spokesperson for Scottish Water expressed the desire to avoid industrial action, stating, 'No-one benefits from industrial action.' The spokesperson encouraged unions to return to negotiations with the aim of reaching an amicable settlement.
They reiterated the company's commitment to fair pay, highlighting the offer of a 3.4% pay rise, which is said to be significantly above inflation, along with a guaranteed minimum increase of £1,400, benefiting lower salary grades.
Efforts are being made by Scottish Water to develop contingency plans to ensure that essential services remain operational in the event of industrial action, with assurances provided that water supplies and wastewater treatment will continue without disruption.
