By stewartb

Statements today from Unison’s leadership on the strike by its members employed by local authorities in Scotland are telling.

UNISON Scotland’s head of local government Johanna Baxter is quoted saying: ‘Cosla and the Scottish government need to give local government workers a decent wage rise, fund any increase properly and commit to implementing a minimum underpinning rate of pay of £15 per hour for all local government workers.”

The implication here seems clear. Unison’s leadership in this strike is motivated by three different things:

(i) to obtain a wage rise for members – the normal, legitimate thing, along with protecting and improving terms/conditions of employment, that motivate trade unions;

(ii) to influence, to change the manner and/or the amount of grant funding that comes from the Scottish Government to local authorities – so striking in part to influence the funding settlement negotiated between government and COSLA;

(iii) to increase the minimum level of pay for local government workers across the board to £15 per hour – so striking to change government policy on wage rates for all local government workers, whether in Unison or not.

Objectives (ii) and (iii) are arguably ‘political’ rather than part of a typical industrial dispute mandated by a strike ballot.

It’s also notable that in a BBC News website article today it is reported that (with my emphasis): ’Unison is also WARNING THAT IT COULD ballot other council workers – such as refuse collectors – TO SEE IF THEY WOULD ALSO BE PREPARED TO GO ON STRIKE.’ So Unison’s leadership is threatening to PROVOKE further strike action. Based on the same three factors?

The issue of increasing the minimum wage came up during Labour’s campaigning in Scotland earlier this year, as reported by the Glasgow Times on 17 August (see https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23730270.angela-rayner-says-adults-will-get-minimum-wage-labour/ )

We learn that: ‘On a visit to Glasgow, meeting apprentices at City Building, in Springburn, Angela Rayner (deputy leader of the Labour Party) said Labour would look at a new formula for setting the hourly rate so it allowed people to meet their living costs. Speaking to the Glasgow Times, Rayner said an incoming Labour government would look to raise the living standards for all working people.

‘SHE WOULD NOT SAY WHAT THE RATE WOULD BE OR IF IT WOULD BE INCREASED. Rayner added: “We would give the Low Pay Commission a broader remit so they can look at and set the hourly rate.” Adding: “WE’VE HAD TRADE UNIONS MENTION CERTAIN RATES. WE’RE NOT GOING TO PLUCK A FIGURE OUT OF THE AIR.” and “It won’t be me setting it. It will be a formula the right formula that we have to keep to, to ensure a genuine living wage for people.”

Now Ms Rayner was referring to the national living wage rather than just one for local government employees. But notably she was both unwilling to indicate a rate and unwilling, if in government, even to accept responsibility for setting such a rate. And she made no mention of moving on an increased rate for JUST local government or other public sector employees in England.

Back in 28 September 2021 this was published in Labour List: Labour conference backs £15 minimum wage and sick pay at living wage’

We learn what prompted a Labour front bench resignation: ‘The former Shadow Employment Rights and Protections Secretary (Andy McDonald MP) said the Labour leader’s office “instructed me to go into a meeting to argue against a national minimum wage of £15 an hour and against statutory sick pay at the living wage”.

On 24 October 2023, THE LIVING WAGE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED THAT THE REAL LIVING WAGE HAS INCREASED TO £12 IN UK and £13.15 in London. ‘The living wage rates for 2023/24 have been announced today (24 October 2023) and employers will then have six months until 1 May 2024 to implement them.’

The many Living Wage Employers in the public sector in Scotland that have been certified by the Living Wage Foundation are listed on the Foundation’s website.