WORKERS WIN £2 BILLION THROUGH INDUSTRIAL ACTION

New figures from the STUC reveal workers winning over £2 billion in pay during cost-of-living crisis

Data from the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has revealed that workers throughout Scotland have secured over £2 billion in pay settlements during the past year of industrial disputes.

Figures from the trade union body disclose that throughout health, education, local government, the fire service, transport, and telecoms, unions in Scotland have won over £2 billion for workers as a result of disputes over pay.

The STUC further reveal that had trade unions accepted employers initial offer they would have been £1.1 billion worse off, highlighting that it was a direct result of balloting or taking industrial action that workers secured an extra £1.1 billion in uplifts directly into workers’ pockets.

The STUC, Scotland’s largest trade union body, called the total a “stunning indication of worker power”. The news comes as the STUC kick off their annual Congress in Dundee, bringing together over 400 trade unionists from across the country.

Congress is set to be addressed by First Minister Humza Yousaf later today with Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner and Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar taking to the stage on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said:

“This is a stunning indication of worker power. Unions across Scotland have scored a mighty victory for their members, securing over £2 billion in pay settlements, £1.1 billion of which came as a direct result of balloting or undertaking industrial action.

“I am proud of every single worker who has stood shoulder to shoulder on the picket lines, fighting and winning for their unions. Our collective strength is a force to be reckoned with but this is no time to rest on our laurels.

“As we kick off our annual Congress, politicians, governments and employers should be in no doubt that the STUC will leave no worker behind. We cannot win until we all win.  We need to see further action on tackling chronic low pay, inflation, job insecurity and energy costs before working people can breathe easy at night.”