MyEDC

    Technical Notes 2023, Issue 119 - National Pay Bargaining – Notice of Ballot for Industrial Action

    • Report by:

      Ann Davie, Depute Chief Executive

    • TN Number:

      119-23

    • Subject:

      National Pay Bargaining – Notice of Ballot for Industrial Action

    • Responsible Officer:

      Alistair McDonald – Human Resources & Organisational Development Manager

    • Publication:

      This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Member. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.

    Section

    1. The purpose of this technical note is to advise Elected Members that the Council has now received formal notification of Ballot for Industrial Action from UNISON, GMB and Unite the Union, relating to National Pay Bargaining for the 2023/24 pay award, for employees covered by the Local Government Workers bargaining group.
       
    2. The ballot is targeted at those employees within schools Facilities Management (catering, cleaning and janitorial), Education Support (Early Year Workers, Support for Learning, School Admin) who are members of UNISON, GMB or Unite.
       
    3. It is important to note that this is a national pay dispute and not targeted at East Dunbartonshire Council.
       
    4. Officers from all appropriate services are meeting to discuss and develop operational plans should these be required in the event of any future notification of industrial action.
       
    5. Timescales of the ballot process being conducted by Trade Unions and the subsequent notification to Council of the ballot outcomes will vary. GMB and Unite the Union ballots will close on 31 July 2023, and Unison’s ballot will close on 25 August 2023.
       
    6. Therefore, it is not possible at this time to confirm exactly when Council will be advised of each of the ballot outcomes.  It is however anticipated that formal notification from each of the three Trades Unions will be received by the end of August 2023.
       
    7. Subject to the outcome of the respective ballots, Industrial Action is intended to take place between August 2023 until February 2024.
       
    8. Officers will provide further updates as information becomes available on the outcome of the respective ballots.