Threat of Dumfries and Galloway waste workers going on strike ends after union accepts pay deal

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The threat of Dumfries and Galloway waste workers going out on strike is over.

The Unison union had a mandate for a walkout after members rejected a pay offer from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).

And school and early years staff members in Perth and Kinross – the constituency of First Minister John Swinney – recently staged strike action over the issue.

Now, the union has accepted a revised offer from COSLA and claims the Scottish Government will get involved early in next year’s pay deal, meaning the dispute has come to a close.

Unison Scotland’s local government committee chair, Colette Hunter, said: “Workers’ resolve and action have secured a route to what they hope will be a decent pay deal that will be in people’s pockets from April 2025.

“The Scottish Government will now be in the room with unions and COSLA when discussions about next year’s wage rise begin. This will include a minimum pay rate of £15 an hour, a reduction in the working week, and the perilous state of council finances.

“Council staff have shown they will take a stand on pay. That is crucial in protecting public services.”

The original deal – which Unison claimed was worth 67p an hour of 3.6 per cent – was imposed on staff earlier this year after being accepted by GMB Scotland and United.

COSLA resources spokeswoman and Mid Galloway and Wigtown West Councillor Katie Hagmann said: “I am delighted to be informed that Unison’s consultative ballot has resulted in acceptance of the additional elements offered in our letter to the unions on November 8.

“Acceptance of the additional elements means we are able to conclude the 2024/25 pay negotiations with an agreement from all three trade unions.”

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