A new deal for South Lanarkshire Council workers has been announced by the administration.
The Labour, Liberal Democrat and Independent South Lanarkshire administration has revealed a new package of measures aimed at improving conditions for the council workforce.
The council hopes progressive policies will help the authority recruit and provide further support to key workers who were responsive during the pandemic.
The package, to be presented in the coming weeks includes a ‘wellbeing day’ for council workers which will be an additional paid day of leave to thank the pandemic workforce and to help address stress.
Paternity leave for council workers will be doubled as well as enhanced leave for parents who experience pregnancy loss.
The council is also reviewing a number of key worker post with the aim of improving conditions and are actively considering whether more can be open to support workers.
Council leader Joe Fagan (East Kilbride Central North), said: “This is a collaborative effort by the new Administration to improve conditions for working parents and help support the wellbeing of the workforce overall. This package allows the new Administration to implement promises we made to the workforce and builds on our positive relationship with trade unions.
“This package is no substitute for a resolution to the national dispute on pay in local government, which we are working hard to resolve by putting pressure on the Scottish Government at a national level. What this package signifies is that this new administration will take tangible steps now to make South Lanarkshire Council a better, more progressive employer.”,
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, councillor Robert Brown (Rutherglen South), said: “There is a nationwide recruitment crisis across many sectors of the economy. The council cannot solve the crisis but we can examine our own policies and practices and challenge ourselves to do better.
“South Lanarkshire Council is an award-winning employer and by implementing this progressive package of measures I hope that we can send out the message that we intend to make the Council an even better place to work.”
Councillor Margaret Cooper (Avondale and Stonehouse), Leader of the Independent Group, said: “The council’s workforce are our most valuable resource.
“The Independent Group have long championed an additional day of paid leave to help the pandemic workforce recharge after lockdown and support their wellbeing.
“I am delighted that the council is now in a position to provide a ‘wellbeing day’ as part of a package of measures aimed at supporting the workforce.”
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did yo u know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head over to our page to give us a like and share.
