Orkney school staff set to strike over pay

Orkney school catering, janitorial and cleaning staff are poised to strike next month, as union members reach “breaking point” over a pay dispute.

Workers feel “aggrieved by the way they’ve been treated” and are disappointed that they’ve had to resort to strike action, according to Karen Davidson, UNISON’s regional organiser for local services in Orkney.

Meanwhile, Orkney Islands Council (OIC) has said it will be “evaluating the impact” the proposed week-long strike, might have on service provision across the county.

The industrial action, which is due to coincide with the COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow from November 8 until November 12, has arisen from a dispute over a pay claim for 2021/22.

On Monday, it was confirmed that council workers in Orkney would be among employees from 17 local authorities who will undertake industrial action if workers’ demands are not met.

Ms Davidson said this week that UNISON members in the isles were “at breaking point”.

“Local government submitted the pay claim for council workers and it has taken COSLA quite some considerable time to come back with an offer,” she said.

“It does not meet the request that we had put in.

“We’re a bit disappointed that council workers seem to be the poor relation when it comes to the Scottish Government and COSLA – they always seem to lag behind any pay award that is given or recognition towards the work that was undertaken during the pandemic.

“Our council members opened schools to allow other key workers to go to their work. We had council workers that took on additional and different duties and they’ve had no reward.”

Responding to the announcement of the strike, an OIC spokeswoman said: “The council was informed in writing by UNISON on Monday afternoon that, following a ballot for industrial action, they would be calling their members who work in school catering, cleaning and janitorial services to participate in strike action during the period November 8 to November 12, 2021.

“Other trade unions have not established a mandate for industrial action in Orkney.

“The action announced is in response to the ongoing national dispute in relation to a pay award for local government staff for the year 2021-22 which is negotiated between the trade unions and COSLA as the umbrella body for local government.

“The council will be evaluating what impact this announcement may have on service provision as a matter of urgency and will ensure appropriate communications are issued in due course.”