Cosla makes revised pay offer to striking school staff
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A revised pay offer has been made to striking school staff just a fortnight before their next three-day walkout, with a union set to hold an emergency meeting tomorrow to discuss the proposals.
Unison has confirmed it will hold an emergency meeting "first thing tomorrow" to explore details of the proposed offer by Cosla – the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, which represents all Scottish councils – and "consider our position" before deciding its next steps.
The offer comes just days after Unison announced its members would be striking for three days from September 26 to 28, with 76 per cent of Scotland's schools set to be hit by the action.
Related: Breaking: UNISON announces school strike dates
Related: Strike dates for schools in the Highlands set to be announced in coming days
The revised offer comes amid a long-running pay dispute between employees and Scotland's local authorities that has resulted in numerous walk-outs.
But unions have warned that they will need to be convinced that the new offer is a "substantially improved" one.
Commenting on Cosla’s revised pay offer, which was sent to unions this evening (Wednesday), UNISON Scotland's head of local government, Johanna Baxter said: “UNISON Scotland’s local government committee will hold an emergency meeting first thing tomorrow (Thursday) and will go through the detail of Cosla’s revised offer and consider our position.
"UNISON will do everything we can to find a solution – we do not want to see mass school closures.
“However, we need to be convinced that this is a substantially improved offer. UNISON members in schools have voted in unprecedented numbers to take action and we have a mandate to call over 21,000 school staff out on strike over this - our members have clearly had enough. COSLA and the Scottish government need to make sure these workers are properly rewarded for their commitment and hard work.”
