UNISON, the trade union
representing more than 100,000 of Scotland’s local government staff,
has launched its manifesto for the local government elections on May 3.
In the manifesto, which the union will use to lobby council
candidates, one of the key issues raised is the large costs expected to
be incurred to deliver fair pay in local councils.
Mike Kirby, UNISON’s Scottish convenor said: “The Accounts
Commission has recently recognised that equal pay is a massive problem
for local councils – something that we have been arguing for some time.
Councils have a responsibility to comply with equal pay law under best
value. Whilst some councils have already funded these debts, the vast
majority have not yet implemented equal pay.”
The manifesto also highlights concern about the loss of local
control of services, where pressures on councils to bring in
efficiencies leads to a centralising of services away from local
control.
Kirby added: “Councils moving cultural and other services out to
private trusts and, transferring housing stock to private companies,
put barriers in the way of joined-up service provision and remove
services from direct democratic control, as do PFI/PPP projects.
“Increases in the patchwork nature of service provision are also
threatened by shared services of different types. We want to know from
parties and candidates whether they back democratic accountability for
services, or want to remove peoples’ say in their services.”
The manifesto, entitled Revitalising our Local Services,
will be sent direct to all existing councillors, and also be used by
local branches to help them campaign in the local elections.
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