Inverclyde Council staff will receive a boost in their pay packets in time for Christmas.

The council has used delegated powers to implement a pay increase agreed by COSLA Leaders on 3 November 2023 to ensure more money is in the pockets of staff in time for the festive period.

The move was agreed to meet the local authority’s pay run so that extra money can be included in the final pay before Christmas. 

It follows a revised pay offer from COSLA and the Scottish Government earlier this month.

Trade union UNISON is recommending that local members accept the offer for local government staff, excluding teachers, while the GMB and Unite unions have already accepted an offer.

The ballot of UNISON members is due to close on Monday 27 November 2023 but the council has taken action to make sure staff receive extra money in time for Christmas to support them and their families over the festive period and through winter.

It followed consultation with the local UNISON branch.

The council has also agreed to implement the new Living Wage Foundation Real Living Wage of £12 an hour with immediate effect rather than waiting until next April, benefitting over 400 council staff.

Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council and convener of policy and resources, said: “Given the ongoing financial challenges we are all facing, it was felt that this is an appropriate course of action to ensure extra money is in the pockets of our hard-working employees as soon as possible.

“We recognise the financial challenges people are facing because of the cost of living crisis, including our own workforce.

“That only gets worse at this time of year with Christmas just around the corner and as winter really starts to take hold.

“That’s why, following consultation with the local UNISON branch, we have taken the decision to implement the pay increase now in full to support council staff and their families rather than waiting until the outcome of the ballot is known.

“I’m also pleased that members of the committee agreed unanimously to implement the new Real Living Wage with immediate effect rather than waiting until April 2024 and this will benefit over 400 council staff.”

The use of delegated powers to implement the pay rise was agreed upon by councillors Stephen McCabe, Martin McCluskey, and Elizabeth Robertson and was reported to the policy and resources committee meeting on Tuesday 21 November 2023.