Aberdeen city pay dispute escalates

ONE of Scotland's largest local authorities was last night facing a wave of employment tribunal actions over its refusal to fully implement a pay deal affecting more than 6,500 staff.

Officials at Aberdeen City Council are urging the council to approve plans for a new pay offer which would result in all 6,555 employees due incremental awards receiving a 1.5 per cent increase in their basic salary.

The new offer has sparked outrage amongst union leaders who claim that some staff, due pay rises of 1,000, would receive as little as 150.

Janet Adams, GMB Scotland's regional organiser for Aberdeen City Council, said the union had lodged "hundreds" of tribunal applications, alleging breach of contract by the council, in response to the new proposals.

She said: "The council has gone back on the deal… until we reach a satisfactory conclusion we will continue to actively pursue these claims at the tribunal."