Staff at Scottish Water are readied to elect on commercial activity after pay talks broke down.
Unite stated the relocation follows the business stopped working to make a “fair and decent” pay deal to its participants, while at the exact same time granting “eye-watering packages” to business managers.
The union likewise stated a “botched” task assessment procedure executed by the business had actually seen a variety of team reduced.
Unite stands for 500 employees at the business, consisting of drainage operatives, water therapy and ruptured repair work operatives, upkeep designers, electrical contractors and sewer vessel vehicle drivers.
It alerted that commercial activity by its participants would straight affect Scottish Water’s capacity to react to water leaks, flooding.
Sharon Graham, Unite basic assistant, stated: “Scottish Water has failed to make our members a fair and decent pay offer.
“Contrast this management snub with the eye-watering packages its executive team members are dishing out to themselves.
“Unite will fully support our members in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions at Scottish Water.”
The union stated that in October Scottish Water made team a standard pay deal of 3.4%, with a minimal rise of ₤ 1,200, which it stated was “overwhelmingly rejected” by its subscription.
It stated the business after that suggested an added ₤ 200 yet that this deal was likewise declined “outright” by the union.
Sam Ritchie, Unite commercial police officer, stated: “Scottish Water’s executive team appear too preoccupied with awarding themselves bonus and pension top-ups to make our members a decent pay offer.
“Unite has no option but to ballot our members on industrial action because Scottish Water is ignoring our members’ reasonable demands.
“To add insult to injury, there is a botched job evaluation process ongoing which is leading to many of our members losing pay through being downgraded.
“That is unacceptable and we will fight back against this culture of arrogance at Scottish Water.”
The union stated commercial activity can entail strike activity, functioning to rule or functioning just to gotten hours.
It included that Scottish Water “relies heavily” on employees doing overtime, which without this it would certainly require to make “substantial payments” to professionals to carry out superior restorative jobs.
A Scottish Water agent stated: “Our proposal for an annual pay award for 2024/25 builds on the uplift and significant improvement to terms and conditions agreed last year with the trade unions.
