Trade Union Latest: Scottish Water Statement
Scottish Water has issued the following statement, following confirmation from the Unison, Unite and GMB Scotland trade unions about the cancellation of planned industrial action.
A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “We are pleased that the trade unions have called off the planned industrial action for this weekend and next and we will be happy to return to the negotiating table and work with them to secure a good pay award for our people.
“Our above-inflation pay offer is fair and progressive, prioritising the highest percentage increases in the business for those on the lowest salary grades – money that should be in employees’ pockets now.”
The Scottish Water pay offer includes:
- An above-inflation 3.4% increase, with a guaranteed pay rise of at least £1,400 for those on the lowest job grades, meaning some employees will receive around 5.5%.
- This is in addition to an 8% increase in 2023 and further uplifts with pay progression already paid in 2024, meaning, if this pay offer is implemented, Scottish Water’s salary bill will have increased by 17% in just two years.
- All Scottish Water employees are also eligible for an annual out-performance bonus and the business recently reduced the working week to 35 hours from 37 hours previously.
Scottish Water’s model of being publicly owned, independently regulated and commercially run has helped it become one of the top performing utilities in the UK, delivering excellent customer satisfaction scores and some of the highest water quality standards in Europe.
