Scottish unions lodge claim to break council pay freeze

UNISON, GMB and Unite are lodging a claim today for a £7.20 living wage and £1,000 flat rate rise in Scottish local government. Based on £500 for this year and last year, the unions say the claim is affordable. UNISON's Dougie Black said: “The lowest paid have been hit the hardest and while the cost of living has risen sharply, their pay has stayed the same. Families are already struggling to make ends meet and if their pay is frozen for a second year and costs remain high, whole families will be pushed further into poverty." http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/2012/mayjune/0805.htm