Local government trade unions in Scotland have rejected a derisory three-year 2.5% a year pay offer from their employers. The trade unions representing 220,000 staff in local government in Scotland submitted a joint pay claim for one-year of 5% or £1000 whichever is the greater. 

In addition to the pay element of the claim, the trade unions also want an increase of 3 days annual leave (both at basic level and after five years service) and an extra one day public holiday. With inflation (RPI) at around 4%, average private sector earnings up 4.5% and house price inflation in Scotland at 14% the claim is just. With fat cat executives and big business leaders awarding themselves double figure percentage increases at the same time as over half of local government workers in Scotland have earnings of less than £16,000 the claim is modest.

The Scottish Local Government employers, COSLA, which is now an effective coalition of the SNP, New Labour and the Lib-Dems, responded by making an offer that spanned three years, proposing rises of 2.2% in 2008, 2.3% in 2009 and a further 2.2% in 2010. When this was rejected by the joint trade union side the employers varied their offer to 2.5% per year for three years. There was no offer to increase holidays. The negotiators view is that this is the final offer from the employers. In the face of current inflation and the uncertainty of how the economy and inflation will work out it would be foolish to accept such a three year offer.

Unfortunately the unions have now gone their separate ways on how to respond. GMB and Unite have decided to ask their members what they think of the offer. UNISON is going to ask its members whether they wish to reject the offer and take some form of action. This absence of a firm united leadership will have an adverse effect on the workers morale.

What we need is a determined lead from all the trade union leaders to initiate decisive industrial action to force a change of mind on the part of the employers. The unions should organise joint local mass meetings of the entire workforce to explain the case for rejecting the offer and preparing for a fight. Immediately plans should be drawn up at local level for coordinated decisive industrial action.

Consideration will have to be given to all out strike action without cover should the employers current intransigence continue. What is sure that in the face of the SNP led Scottish Government intention to seek "efficiency savings" from local government and the Labour UK Government setting of a public sector pay policy of no more than 2% then the members need to be led into action to overcome both of these hurdles.

Building the confidence of the workforce to fight for decent living standards is the task of all trade union activists. The mood of anger against the offer is there. It needs to be translated into action.

We can’t afford to do otherwise.

By Ronnie StevensonUnison Convenor, Glasgow City Council Social Work Services. (Personal Capacity