Scottish water staff plan seven-day strike after pay offer rejected

THE UPCOMING STRIKES ARE EXPECTED TO DISRUPT EMERGENCY REPAIRS, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE. PRESS ASSOCIATION 19:48, 30 May 2025 Scottish Water staff are to strike for another seven days after

they rejected the latest pay offer. Workers represented by the GMB, Unite and Unison unions announced on Friday they have rejected a 3.4% pay increase, and will now take subsequent action

“to demand the fair deal they deserve”. Strikes will begin on Monday and will continue throughout the week, with the last day being Sunday June 8. It follows two prior days of industrial

action in April. In a marginal majority, 51% of Unison workers employed by the water supplier voted to reject the pay offer, and 49% voted to accept. The turnout was 86%. GMB said 60% of its

members voted against the offer, and 40% chose to accept, on a turnout of 78%. Unite’s statistics were not available. Scottish Water said it had made a “strong offer that is comfortably

above inflation”. The upcoming strikes are expected to disrupt emergency repairs, testing and maintenance, and a joint union demonstration will take place outside Scottish Water’s Shieldhall

offices in Glasgow on Wednesday. Unison Scottish Water branch secretary Patricia McArthur said: “Staff are extremely frustrated. They deserve better than game-playing by senior Scottish

Water managers. Article continues below “The company seems more interested in spending public money on anti-union tactics than in finding a solution to this pay dispute. Its managers

proposed a possible pay offer, but then retracted it, only to come up with something much worse.” Unison Scotland regional manager Simon Macfarlane added: “The latest pay offer falls far

short of what other public sector workers in Scotland have received. Scottish Water staff will now form picket lines across the country to demand the fair deal they deserve.” GMB Scotland

accused Scottish Water bosses of making the strikes an inevitability after pay talks faltered. Claire Greer, GMB Scotland organiser in Scottish Water, has now written to Gillian Martin, the

acting Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, detailing concern about the dispute. She said: “Doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result is both the definition of

madness and Scottish Water’s idea of industrial relations. “The company has allowed these negotiations to stumble on for months when a simple, transparent and fair pay offer would have been

welcomed by our members and averted industrial action. “Scottish Water’s refusal to engage with negotiations in a serious and uncomplicated way has led us here and, unless that changes, the

dispute will continue and industrial action will escalate.” Sam Ritchie, industrial officer for Unite, said: “Unite’s 500-strong membership at Scottish Water have overwhelmingly rejected the

latest wage offer. It only amounted to an extra £250 over two years, which is unacceptable. “Management also withdrew an offer to increase a performance-related bonus which could boost pay

by a further £200, which has further infuriated the workforce. Over nine months Scottish Water has had the opportunity to make a fair and reasonable offer to our members, and they have

consistently refused to do so. “The chief executive, Alex Plant, has refused to become involved in pay negotiations while walking away with a publicly funded remuneration package totalling

£483,000.” JOIN THE DAILY RECORD WHATSAPP COMMUNITY! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking

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community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Scottish Water says it made the pay offer in line

with the unions’ recommendations. Chief operating officer Peter Farrer said: “There is no need for next week’s industrial action to go ahead. “Scottish Water has made a strong offer that is

comfortably above inflation. It is now time for the unions to come forward with a proposal that is fair for workers, customers, and the future of the business. “We’re ready to meet at any

time this weekend. It is in everyone’s interests to avoid next week’s strike. If it goes ahead, those who take part in the industrial action will lose valuable wages and an essential service

will be put under unnecessary pressure. “In the meantime, we have robust plans in place to maintain essential services should the trade unions press ahead with their strike action.” Article

continues below A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Ministers have set out their policy in relation to public sector pay. It is a matter for Scottish Water and its Unions to agree a

settlement within the constraints of that policy and affordability. “The Scottish Government urges both parties to resume negotiations to find an agreement.”