A controversial pay ‘deal’ has been imposed on Council which will see staff receive a pay rise of 0.65% backdated to April this year. The three year deal, imposed by Council Leaders will mean that there will be a pay freeze in 2011; followed by another pay freeze in 2012. The imposed ‘deal’ will result in part year savings of £350,000 in 2010 for West Dunbartonshire Council and could save as much as £1m in each of the next two years.  However public sector unions are furious about the three year ‘deal’ being imposed on staff. Commenting on the pay deal Labour Group Finance Spokesman Councillor David McBride said: “While we are all aware of the tough financial climate we are faced with in the coming years, it is vital that we maintain the cooperation and support of the workforce. I believe it would be unfair to impose a lower pay rise than the previous offer. West Dunbartonshire Council had already factored the higher offer into our financial planning and Leaders are now punishing our hard working staff because of their inability to reach agreement”. The original offer from Council Leaders was a 1% pay rise in 2010; followed by a pay freeze in 2011; and a pay increase of 0.5% in 2012, but Trades Unions had rejected the offer. Councillor McBride added:”I would urge Leaders to rethink this strategy as it may lead to a period of unnecessary and damaging industrial action”. Follow the link below for more details. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11113306

 Note: Labour Councillors in West Dunbartonshire have been excluded from COSLA for the past two years following a decision of the SNP led Council. The Councils COSLA Representatives are:

• Councillor Ronnie McColl
• Councillor Jonathan McColl
• Councillor Craig McLaughlin
• Councillor Willie Hendrie
• Councillor Jim Finn
• Councillor Jim McElhill
• Councillor Marie McNair