Scottish Water employees are set to vote on potential strike action following the collapse of pay negotiations. The GMB union in Scotland has announced that its members will be balloted next week after overwhelmingly rejecting a 3.4% pay offer during an informal consultation.
Claire Greer, GMB Scotland organizer, expressed disappointment at facing another dispute so soon after previous actions. She stated: “The current offer is simply too low, which is why it was rejected. Scottish Water’s communication with staff has been misleading.”
The ballot is scheduled to begin on January 27, 2025, just over a year after previous actions nearly disrupted emergency repairs and maintenance.
This latest development comes amid growing tensions between Scottish Water and its workforce.
Potential Impact on Scottish Businesses
If the strike goes ahead, it could have significant implications for water and sewage services across Scotland. Previous union statements have indicated that during strike actions:
- Emergency repairs will not be carried out
- Water quality checks will not take place
- Public reports of problems with water supply, sewage, or drainage will not be addressed
These disruptions could potentially affect a wide range of Scottish businesses, from hospitality and food production to manufacturing and healthcare. Companies relying on a consistent water supply may face operational challenges, while those dealing with wastewater management could encounter environmental and health concerns.
A spokesperson for Scottish Water said an increased offer had not been put to staff by unions and described the move to ballot members as “premature”.
They also said the offer to employees amounted to 3.95%, not 3.4% as stated by GMB Scotland.
The three-week ballot is expected to open on 27 January, a little more than a year after a rolling programme of action threatened to disrupt emergency repairs, testing and maintenance.
The situation remains fluid as Scottish Water has yet to comment on the latest developments.
