Following a special meeting of Council Leaders this morning to discuss Local Government Pay, COSLA has this afternoon made a significantly improved formal offer to the trade unions.

Earlier today, Leaders welcomed that Scottish Government had provided funding to take a pay offer beyond the 3.2% previously offered by COSLA, recognising the financial position facing councils while also providing firm assurances around any recurring additional funding.

This additional funding means that the revised offer is better than the offer made to Local Government workers in the rest of the UK.

Everyone will receive at least 3.6% and for the first pay point on our pay scales,  there will be an increase of £1292 (or 5.63%), The overall offer value is 4.27%.

In making this improved offer, COSLA is requesting that strike action is suspended while it is considered by the unions, who have been made aware of Leaders’ concerns that the additional funding may be at risk if strikes go ahead.

COSLA’s Resources Spokespeople Cllr Katie Hagmann said:

“Having worked hard over the last week with Scottish Government to increase and guarantee additional funding, Leaders are now in a position to make this improved offer to our trade unions.  This offer reflects what trade unions have asked for and we hope that they will now be prepared to call off the strikes while they put that offer to their members.”