Branch news – Unite CEC Branch

Industrial action ballot launched—important details for members

Branch convener Graeme Smith and branch secretary Brian Robertson each hold a Unite flag and jointly hold an envelope reading notice of industrial action outside the Edinburgh City Chambers — Branch convener Graeme Smith and branch secretary Brian Robertson serve the notice of industrial action at the City Chambers

Unite launch industrial action ballots across all Scottish local authorities as pay dispute escalates

Today, Unite the Union served notice of industrial action ballot to all 32 Scottish local authorities following an overwhelming rejection of the pay offer in a consultative ballot.

In the ballot:

83% rejected pay offer
74% indicated a willingness to take strike action.

Important ballot information for members

We will conduct a ballot for industrial action of the following members:

Pay update

Following a barely and poorly revised offer from the employer (CoSLA) through the Scottish Joint Council (SJC) Unite is holding a consultative ballot of Local Government Employee members to gain members views on the new offer.

Members will receive a ballot by email, text or post depending on individual preferences and information available to Unite. The ballot consists of two questions: 1. whether to accept or reject the offer; 2. on willingness to participate in industrial action. The email comes from UniteScotland and is entitled “Local Authorities Consultative Pay Ballot – August 2021“. Please check your emails. It was sent Monday 23rd August. Should you not receive your ballot contact Unite by calling: 01414045424

The new offer comprises:

New rep training dates

Unite Scotland have released the education programme for 2021/22 with dates for training for reps and those looking to become reps. Courses running in Edinburgh are below for quick reference.

Become a rep

If you are interested in becoming a rep, contact one of our branch officers to chat about what’s involved, the support available and the opportunities on offer.

Edinburgh courses for 2021/22

Pay negotiations update

Poster with the text £70 a day strike pay. With Unite on your side, it's easier for council workers to take a stand for a fair and decent pay rise. Act now - go to myunite.unitetheunion.org to make sure your contact details are up to date.

Unite has received a response from the Finance Minister, Kate Forbes, regarding our recent letter on Local Government Employees’ pay.

In her letter she reiterates her commendation and thanks to local government workers. However she has made it quite clear that her thanks does not stretch to financially rewarding our hard work in the fight against a pandemic that has affected and changed the working lives of all local government workers.

General Secretary Election

Our nomination meeting/hustings will commence at 5pm on Thursday 20th May 2021 and end at 7pm. The meeting will use Microsoft Teams and all Unite CEC branch members are invited. If you wish to attend please contact the branch secretary by emailing: brian.robertson2@unitetheunion.org (including your full name, phone number and union membership number if available) to request the meeting link by email. The email should arrive no later than 6pm on Wednesday 19th May 2021.

Each candidate will be allowed 10 minutes to speak followed by 10 minutes responding to questions. A 10 minute gap, during which discussions may take place, will occur between candidates. Nomination will be decided by vote following the departure of the last candidate.

All reps are expected to attend.

Branch Annual General Meeting

The branch AGM is on Tuesday 30 March 2021 4pm to 5.30pm.

The meeting is on Microsoft Teams—to attend email brian.robertson2@unitetheunion.org by Thursday 25 March.

We will send your invite on Friday 26 March.

Check your details

It is important that everyone’s membership details are up to date so please take a few minutes to check your details at MyUnite. If you have not used this service before you will have to take a few more minutes to activate your account. Once done you will be able to ensure that your details are up to date and that you receive important communications (e.g. ballots, pay claim, Health & Safety).

Training for reps from the TUC 2021

The TUC dates for rep training are online, with the next course for new reps starting on Monday 12 January—and another starting Monday 19 January. The courses are listed for Edinburgh, Fife and Glasgow, but they are delivered online, so you can attend any.

To become a rep you need to attend union reps 1 and 2 training—this can be from Unite, ideally, or from the TUC. We’ll publish the Unite training dates as soon as we know them.

You are entitled to paid time off to attend under the facilities agreement.