Pay deal vote 'shows change in thinking'

Published on Monday 2 August 2010 13:30

TRADE union leaders in Edinburgh said today that the rejection of a pay deal for council workers is a sign of a "turnaround in thinking" on finances.

Members of the trade union Unison voted to reject the national offer of a one per cent pay rise this year, a freeze next year then a 0.5 per cent rise in year three.

Union leaders admit that industrial action may be necessary if no new offer is provided, after 80 per cent of members in Scotland voted to reject the deal.

John Stevenson, president of the Edinburgh branch of Unison, said: "For us, this is a measure of public sector workers beginning to wake up to the myths being propagated about 'inevitable' cuts. It is becoming more clear to people that these are ideological decisions.

"It is the beginning of a turnaround in thinking and people beginning to realise the reality of the situation."

He said that the pay proposals on the table amounted to a five per cent cut in real terms, and he warned that industrial action may be needed.

"If you reject and there is no movement from employers then industrial action will be necessary."