Scottish Water union members strike over pay

GMB and Unite members employed by Scottish Water conducted a 24-hour strike last week over an ongoing pay dispute.

The Scottish Water pay offer now includes: 

• An above-inflation 3.4% increase for 2024/25, with a guaranteed pay rise of at least £1,400 for those on the lowest job grades, meaning some employees will receive around 5.5%. 

• A second year increase for 2025/26 that would take the cost of the deal over two years to more than 7%. Unions have been invited to negotiate on this. 

• All Scottish Water employees are also eligible for an annual outperformance bonus and the business recently reduced the working week to 35 hours from 37 hours previously. 

A Scottish Water spokesperson said the offer was progressive and had been improved in negotiations: “This is a good deal and we would encourage union leaders to put it to their members and get back round the negotiating table as soon as possible.” 

The situation is aggravated by anger at Scottish Water executive pay.