Glasgow’s cleansing workers are facing a “nightmare before Christmas” after union leaders said staff had missed out on 'hundreds of pounds' of agreed back-dated wages and warned that COSLA was threatening to u-turn on its pay settlement.
Following strike action in various council sectors, a package was agreed that meant carers would no longer have to pay their own SSSC (Scottish Social Services Council) registration fees and that both carers and cleansing workers would benefit from an extra day’s holiday.
Cleansing departments up and down the country accepted a flat rate increase in pay of more than £1900 for all staff earning less than £39,000 a year.
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But GMB convenor Chris Mitchell is now concerned that the SSSC part of the deal could have a domino effect on other low paid workers in Glasgow meaning they won’t receive their back-pay.
Mr Mitchell said: “Cleansing workers had hundreds of pounds deducted from their wages on Tuesday and they were depending on that backdated money for Christmas.
“COSLA should really be ashamed of themselves for what they are doing to workers across Scotland who stood on picket lines.
“We agreed to the pay offer that was tabled by COSLA but they are now trying to renege on some elements of it which means pushing back backdated payments even further which low paid workers were depending on.
“COSLA really is becoming the grinch and presenting the nightmare before Christmas.”
Cleansing staff are also worried that if an agreement isn’t reached by COSLA or the Scottish Government they won’t see the money this year at all.
Mr Mitchell added: “Low paid workers are getting kicked to the side of the pavement off COSLA.
“I think it is shocking that carers have to pay the SSSC which essentially means they are paying to do their job. The Scottish Government recognised this with COSLA and agreed to pay so it’s not coming out the pockets of the carers.
“But it’s having a massive effect on whether they can pay out the money [agreed during the strike action].
“I’ve got workers who lost hundreds of pounds in deductions because of the strike and were depending on that money for Christmas.
“This is shocking and deplorable. Why are low paid workers being shafted again? Our workers are really struggling right now between the cost of living, bills going up and tax increases.
“We are trying to fix that. This means Christmas might not be there now for low paid workers and that is not good enough.”
A COSLA spokesperson said: “In the interests of COSLA’s members, and given significant financial constraints across the public sector, we are working with the Scottish Government to ensure there is a shared understanding in relation to all parts of the deal.”
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