Quarriers pay dispute settled
UNISON Scotland Community & Voluntary sector e-group
have voted today overwhelmingly in a postal ballot to accept an
improved pay deal to resolve the current pay dispute.
The improved offer of 2.5% or £400, includes a flat rate element. The
deal also settles pay for the year ahead based on a further 2.5%
increase from 1 October 2007 and an extra day's holiday entitlement.
Quarriers and UNISON have agreed to review the grading of the lowest
paid members of staff and to campaign jointly for improved funding to
the voluntary sector. UNISON has also agreed to work constructively
with Quarriers to reduce sickness absence.
Simon Macfarlane, Regional Officer for UNISON said "The ballot result
is great news as it settles a dispute no one wanted. It is vital that
UNISON and voluntary organisations ensure that Scotland's newly
elected Councils and the Scottish Executive address the funding crisis
we face."
Phil Robinson, chief executive of Quarriers said: "I am pleased that
the whole issue of pay is resolved with our staff, with minimum
disruption to our care services, and that UNISON has agreed to work
with us to address the issue of funding of voluntary sector contracts,
so that our staff will not be penalised in future. This gap in funding
in the voluntary sector was highlighted in the survey carried out by
Community Care Providers Scotland (CCPS)."