Renfrewshire to put through £3.4m pay deal in time for Christmas

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Renfrewshire Council is to put through a national pay increase for its employees in time for Christmas.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Derek Mackay said the aim of putting through the pay increase was to "help employees get backdated pay in time for Christmas and to boost spending in the Renfrewshire economy in this difficult economic period."

Around £3.4 million in backdated pay will be included in over 7,000 council employees' Christmas pay packets. Full-time employees can expect a payment of up to several hundred pounds.

A pay deal negotiated nationally by COSLA awarded 3% this year and 2.5% next year to council employees across Scotland. While the deal has been accepted by the largest union, Unison, it has been not been agreed by the GMB and Unite unions.

"There are several issues involved in paying out this money just now", said Councillor Mackay.

"First and foremost, it is our employees' money. The pay dispute has lasted from April and as a goodwill gesture we feel employees should have access to the backdated pay as soon as possible. That's particularly the case in the run up to Christmas."

"It's also vital that the Council does what it can to boost spending power for the benefit of businesses and retailers during the current economic downturn."

Press release: Wednesday 26 November 2008