Cosla Removing £60,000 Cap Shameful Act says GMB Scotland

2nd March 2023

Out-of-touch public sector leaders fethering nests of the highest paid at expense of frontline workers, says GMB Scotland

GMB Scotland has described COSLA's removal of the £60,000 cap for the 2022/23 settlement as a ‘shameful act'.

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland Senior Organiser for Public Services, said, "COSLA's decision is a shameful act by Scotland's out-of-touch public sector leaders to feather the nests of the highest paid at the expense of the frontline workers struggling through the cost-of-living crisis to deliver local public services savaged by cuts. To our members, this can only be regarded as a kick in the teeth.

"By imposing this, COSLA has undermined the settlement they reached with trade unions and the whole process of negotiation. This has done irreparable damage to what trust remained between the workforce and COSLA.

"For councils to find money to further increase pay for the highest paid council officials, whilst GMB members are facing cuts to the services they are trying to deliver to communities is a reckless act.

"Efforts should be focussed on securing funding to protect services and to properly fund a decent pay rise in 2023/24 for the frontline workers hit hardest by the cost of living crisis."

Note
The previous deal was that anyone earning £60k plus would receive a 5% increase capped at £3k. That £3k cap has been removed so they will receive a full 5% increase. This will be implemented for the 2022/23 pay settlement.