Unison members in 24 council areas in Scotland have voted massively in favour of strike action, in ballot results announced last week. This includes South Lanarkshire council, in which the Rutherglen and Hamilton West UK parliamentary constituency is situated and a by-election is underway, where 96% of the Unison members balloted voted for strike action.

Chris Sermanni, the local Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidate for the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election, who is himself a Unison shop stewards convener for neighbouring Glasgow City Unison, said:

“The vote by Unison members in schools and early years in council areas across Scotland are phenomenal. Twenty-four of the 32 council areas have exceeded the Tory anti-union thresholds, with most showing over 90% of members voting to strike for a decent pay rise. They are joining members of GMB and Unite who have also strike mandates in ten council areas each”.

“This sends a clear and unequivocal message to our employers that they had better increase their unacceptable pay offer or face strike action in schools in two-thirds of Scottish councils”.

“As a council worker myself, I congratulate South Lanarkshire Unison members on their determination to fight for pay justice. Whenever action is called, Scottish TUSC will be on the picket lines supporting council workers”.

Chris is a resident of Cambuslang, one of the biggest population centres in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency.  He is also the Unison shop stewards convener for Glasgow City Council’s Social Work Department, playing a leading role in the successful 2015 Homeless Caseworkers strike.  He is a member of Socialist Party Scotland.

For more info contact Scottish TUSC at +44 7889 135533 or e-mail [email protected]