Double-digit pay rises for local authority chief executives in Scotland are “unfair” and must be reversed, says UNISON today (Friday).
UNISON, Scotland’s largest union for council staff, has condemned the decision by council employers’ body Cosla to introduce a new pay structure for senior managers giving a significant wage hike.
It means chief executives will see pay rise by around 12%, while the heads of some smaller councils could see wages up by almost a quarter (24%).
UNISON was not involved in the process to introduce the new pay structure.
UNISON Scotland local government lead Mo Dickson said: “Everyone deserves fair pay, but handing disproportionate increases to the most senior figures is unfair on the rest of the staff, and the public too.
“UNISON wasn’t involved in developing or approving the process and the outcomes are unacceptable.
“Sums like these are an insult to local government staff who struggle to deliver services every day, with limited resources. Not only is this decision unjust, it undermines public confidence in local councils.
“UNISON will be writing to the chief executives concerned asking them to forgo these excessive pay awards. That’s the only way to retain the trust of staff and communities in how their institutions are run.”
Notes to editors:
UNISON is the largest union in Scottish local government negotiating for 80,000 council staff.
Media contacts:
Mo Dickson M: 07940 429981 E: m.dickson@unison.co.uk
Stephen Low M: 07956 852822 E: s.low2@unison.co.uk