Industrial Action: Scottish Water Statement

Scottish Water has issued the following statement as a result of planned industrial action led by members of Unison, Unite and GMB Scotland.
 
Scottish Water’s chief operating officer Peter Farrer said: “Our above-inflation pay offer is fair and progressive, prioritising the highest percentage increases in the business for those on the lowest salary grades – money that should be in employees’ pockets now.

“No-one benefits from industrial action, and we would encourage the joint trade unions to resume negotiations as soon as possible so that we can resolve any outstanding issues amicably and continue to deliver for our millions of customers across Scotland.

“We stand ready to discuss at any point, and we encourage the unions to come back to the table with their proposals as to how to resolve matters.”

The Scottish Water pay offer includes:

An above-inflation 3.4% increase, 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%.

This is in addition to an 8% increase in 2023 and further uplifts with pay progression already paid in 2024, meaning, if this pay offer is implemented, Scottish Water’s salary bill will have increased by 17% in just two years.

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

Scottish Water’s model of being publicly owned, independently regulated and commercially run has helped it become one of the top performing utilities in the UK, delivering excellent customer satisfaction scores and some of the highest water quality standards in Europe.

Customer Service General Manager Kevin Roy said: “Our priority is to ensure we continue to provide customers with the highest standard of water and waste water services.
 
“We are reviewing how our activities may be impacted by any potential strike action and we will put measures in place to minimise any disruption.
 
“We will continue to keep our customers informed as soon as further details are established.”

There has been no change to the Scottish Water bonus system, as the trade unions have suggested in the media.  Bonuses for the CEO and the whole workforce depend on out-performing business targets confirmed by regulators. All colleagues benefit from the bonus if Scottish Water performs well and this approach has not changed.