This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7630082.stm
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 10 | Version 11 |
|---|---|
| Court staff hold strike over pay | Court staff hold strike over pay |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of court staff in Scotland have been holding a day of strike action in a dispute over pay. | Hundreds of court staff in Scotland have been holding a day of strike action in a dispute over pay. |
| The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said the action had caused disruption to the justice system. | |
| Five smaller courts were forced to close across Scotland, while services at other courts had to be reduced but "essential business" was going ahead. | Five smaller courts were forced to close across Scotland, while services at other courts had to be reduced but "essential business" was going ahead. |
| Sportscotland and the National Museums of Scotland were also affected by the strike. | |
| They were joined by members working at the Scottish Courts Service, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. | |
| In total, the PCS estimated 1,700 of its members in justice, sportscotland and the National Museums of Scotland have been taking part in the action. | |
| Advertisement | Advertisement |
| Striking members of the PCS union explain why they have joined the picket line | Striking members of the PCS union explain why they have joined the picket line |
| The action, which is being held the day before a walkout by local government staff, is part of an ongoing campaign by the union against a 2% pay cap introduced by Scottish ministers and was set to be followed by a two week overtime ban. | The action, which is being held the day before a walkout by local government staff, is part of an ongoing campaign by the union against a 2% pay cap introduced by Scottish ministers and was set to be followed by a two week overtime ban. |
| The pay dispute has also seen previous strike action undertaken by Scottish Government civil service staff. | The pay dispute has also seen previous strike action undertaken by Scottish Government civil service staff. |
| BBC Scotland understands the Scottish Government is considering improved pay offers to civil servants, based on a revised offer put forward in August, but any offer would still remain within the 2% limit, which union leaders claim has been instated to fall in line with Westminster pay negotiations. | |
| A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We would urge unions to wait until a pay offer has been made and negotiate on that basis, rather than take part in strike action that could cause unnecessary disruption to members of the public before the pay offer is even put to them." | |
| 'Industrial unrest' | 'Industrial unrest' |
| Eddie Reilly, PCS Scottish secretary, said: "This is the first departmental strike in the Scottish Courts Service for 30 years. | Eddie Reilly, PCS Scottish secretary, said: "This is the first departmental strike in the Scottish Courts Service for 30 years. |
| "As further sections of Scottish ministers' workforce express anger over pay, it seems that Salmond and Swinney are hibernating. | "As further sections of Scottish ministers' workforce express anger over pay, it seems that Salmond and Swinney are hibernating. |
| "Unless they resolve these disputes, they are locking themselves into three years of industrial unrest with their own Scottish workforce." | "Unless they resolve these disputes, they are locking themselves into three years of industrial unrest with their own Scottish workforce." |
| Staff taking part in the action, as well as those working at the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency, are also to impose a two-week overtime ban. | Staff taking part in the action, as well as those working at the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency, are also to impose a two-week overtime ban. |
| Glasgow Sheriff Court, normally the busiest court in Europe, had only three courts running, while at the High Court in Glasgow only three courts out of seven were running. | Glasgow Sheriff Court, normally the busiest court in Europe, had only three courts running, while at the High Court in Glasgow only three courts out of seven were running. |
| Elsewhere, court cases have been deferred, with juries and witnesses told not to come in. The National Museum of Scotland has also been shut to the public. | Elsewhere, court cases have been deferred, with juries and witnesses told not to come in. The National Museum of Scotland has also been shut to the public. |
| A Scottish Court Service spokesman said: "All courts in Scotland are open and dealing with court business with the exceptions of the sheriff courts at Campbeltown, Dornoch, Stonehaven, Stornoway and Tain where any planned business was previously adjourned. | A Scottish Court Service spokesman said: "All courts in Scotland are open and dealing with court business with the exceptions of the sheriff courts at Campbeltown, Dornoch, Stonehaven, Stornoway and Tain where any planned business was previously adjourned. |
| "Some courts are operating as normal, others have a reduced programme of business or restrictions on phones and public counter services but the Scottish Court Service is confident essential business can be carried out today." | "Some courts are operating as normal, others have a reduced programme of business or restrictions on phones and public counter services but the Scottish Court Service is confident essential business can be carried out today." |