Union Wars
Just when you think the council workers strike is finally over - a bitter war of words flares up in the press.
Unison - the largest union by far - has already voted to accept the employers' revised offer - but the GMB and Unite trade unions say that their members voted to reject.
So - wait for it - GMB and Unite may continue the campaign of industrial action.
Now this makes all three unions look like the Keystone Cops - how can they possibly pursue a united pay strategy with the Scottish employers - if they're falling out so badly amongst themselves?
Everyone knows there is no stomach amongst ordinary union members for further strike action - after all why throw more good money after bad.
Significantly, all three unions have failed to publish the results of their membership ballots - which can only mean that the turnout was embarrassingly low.
Unison, as the largest union, has a majority of the votes on the Scottish negotiating body that deals with council workers pay.
Unison can't have the tail wagging the dog - with the minority unions telling the majority union what to do - and how to run the show.
So, this latest spat is a great fuss about nothing - with the unions fighting each other - instead of representing the best interests of their members.
Unison - the largest union by far - has already voted to accept the employers' revised offer - but the GMB and Unite trade unions say that their members voted to reject.
So - wait for it - GMB and Unite may continue the campaign of industrial action.
Now this makes all three unions look like the Keystone Cops - how can they possibly pursue a united pay strategy with the Scottish employers - if they're falling out so badly amongst themselves?
Everyone knows there is no stomach amongst ordinary union members for further strike action - after all why throw more good money after bad.
Significantly, all three unions have failed to publish the results of their membership ballots - which can only mean that the turnout was embarrassingly low.
Unison, as the largest union, has a majority of the votes on the Scottish negotiating body that deals with council workers pay.
Unison can't have the tail wagging the dog - with the minority unions telling the majority union what to do - and how to run the show.
So, this latest spat is a great fuss about nothing - with the unions fighting each other - instead of representing the best interests of their members.
