Hundreds of Scottish Water employees have voted decisively in favour of strike action, as tensions escalate over a rejected 3.4% pay offer while executive bonuses have soared.
The ballot, which closed on Monday, saw strong support for industrial action across all three major unions. Unite recorded 71% backing for strikes, GMB 67%, and Unison 65%, with even higher numbers supporting action short of strikes.
The vote comes as Scottish Water faces criticism over £329,000 in executive bonuses for 2023/24, while simultaneously announcing a 9.9% increase in customer bills starting April.
Emma Phillips, Unison Scotland regional organiser, commented: “No one wants to disrupt services. Scottish Water staff know the provision of clean, fresh water and dealing with sewage for homes and businesses is vital, but feel they have no choice.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham highlighted the stark contrast in treatment: “Unite’s 500-strong membership at Scottish Water is angry at the double standards gripping the executives of the public body.”
Scottish Water defended its position, stating: “We want to make sure our people are paid fairly. That’s why we’ve offered a 3.4% rise, significantly above inflation, with a guaranteed £1,400 minimum increase.”
The unions will meet Tuesday to formulate their strategy, giving Scottish Water two weeks’ notice before any action begins. The utility company has assured it is developing contingency plans to maintain essential services during potential industrial action.
Most frontline staff currently earn less than £31,000 annually, while executive compensation packages have reached what unions describe as “eye-watering levels” , with executive’s annual pay measured in “hundreds of thousands of pounds”.
