Dear Colleagues,
You will no doubt be aware of the national negotiations between COSLA and the Scottish Joint Council Trade Unions in respect of the Pay Award for 2024.
Trade Unions issued targeted ballots in service areas with a summary of the ballots detailed below:
- Waste and Recycling – GMB, Unison and Unite issued ballots, with only GMB meeting the requirements of a successful ballot.
- Fleet (Mechanic and Panel Beaters) – only GMB issued a ballot, which was successful.
- Homecare – only GMB issued a ballot, which is not being progressed.
The Council have now received formal notification from GMB of their intention to call members’ within Fleet Services (Vehicle Workshop) and Waste Services based at Hilton Depot (including Mavis Valley Recycling Centre) to take strike action in relation to the 2024 Pay Offer from 5.00am on Wednesday 14 August 2024 and continuing each day with services resuming on Thursday 22 August at 5.00am.
Unison currently have an open ballot for industrial action to its members who are employed in the running and operation of schools and early years provision (Facilities Management, Clerical Admin, Support for Learning Assistants and Early Year Workers).
Whilst there is a legal mandate for employees who are GMB members that work in
Fleet Services (Vehicle Workshop) and Waste Services based at Hilton Depot (including Mavis Valley Recycling Centre) to participate in industrial action, should they elect to do so, the mandate is restricted to only that Trade Union and its members within those service groupings which are covered by a mandate and that formal notification has been served.
There are employees within Fleet and Waste Services, and indeed other Council service areas who are not covered by the strike mandate. Those employees not covered by the strike mandate are expected to be available and in attendance at work as normal during the aforementioned strike dates.
Consideration and planning is being given to the impact of the industrial action and as to how the Council maintains essential services. Further information and guidance will be issued to all employees, including details of signing-in arrangements for those working in affected services/establishments.
The following arrangements will apply immediately for those employed within Fleet Services (Vehicle Workshop) and Waste Services based at Hilton Depot (including Mavis Valley Recycling Centre):
Annual/Special Leave
Requests for Annual Leave/Special Leave
Annual Leave and Special Leave are suspended for the planned strike days meaning that no further requests for such leave should be granted for the period from 14 August – 21 August 2024.
CPD/Conferences
Requests for CPD/Conferences
Any new requests received from those employed in Waste, Recycling and Fleet to attend CPD/Conferences during the period 14 August – 21 August 2024
Sickness Absence Reporting
As during previous strike action, it will not be possible to self-certify sickness absence during the period from 14 August – 21 August 2024 and in all cases a “fit note” will be required.
Discussions are ongoing between COSLA, Trade Unions and the Scottish Government with a view to agreeing a pay deal and resolving the dispute.
We will continue to engage with our local Trade Union representatives in the run up to the notified dates of action, and we will ensure that all employees receive the most up-to-date information as arrangements are confirmed.
Kind regards,
Ann Davie
Chief Executive
