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'New pay offer' in courts strike New offer for court strike staff
(about 2 hours later)
An improved pay offer is to be made to hundreds of court staff in Scotland who are holding a day of strike action, BBC Scotland understands.An improved pay offer is to be made to hundreds of court staff in Scotland who are holding a day of strike action, BBC Scotland understands.
The Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union said the action had caused major disruption to the justice system.The Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union said the action had caused major disruption to the justice system.
However, a new deal for members of the Crown Office and court administration staff is being assessed by ministers before being put to the union.However, a new deal for members of the Crown Office and court administration staff is being assessed by ministers before being put to the union.
Sportscotland and National Museums of Scotland staff are also taking action.Sportscotland and National Museums of Scotland staff are also taking action.
They have been joined by members working at the Scottish Courts Service, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.They have been joined by members working at the Scottish Courts Service, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
They are hoping that the strikers who are due to go on a fortnight's overtime ban from tomorrow will consider their position in the light of the fact that a new offer is coming Reevel AldersonBBC Scotland home affairs correspondent The Scottish Government said it expected some small courts to close, while services at other courts would have to be reduced. Advertisement
Striking members of the PCS union explain why they have joined the picket line.
Five smaller courts were forced to close across Scotland, while services at other courts had to be reduced.
In total, the PCS estimates 1,700 of its members in justice, sportscotland and the National Museums of Scotland have joined the action.In total, the PCS estimates 1,700 of its members in justice, sportscotland and the National Museums of Scotland have joined the action.
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 home affairs correspondent Reevel Alderson said: "I understand that a new offer to strikers within the Crown Office has been agreed and put before ministers to ensure that it can go to the union and that a similar offer is being formulated for members of the courts administration staff.BBC Scotland home affairs correspondent Reevel Alderson said: "I understand that a new offer to strikers within the Crown Office has been agreed and put before ministers to ensure that it can go to the union and that a similar offer is being formulated for members of the courts administration staff.
"Details so far haven't emerged but what the government is saying is that they've tried very hard to minimise the disruption and they are hoping that the strikers who are due to go on a fortnight's overtime ban from tomorrow will consider their position in the light of the fact that a new offer is coming.""Details so far haven't emerged but what the government is saying is that they've tried very hard to minimise the disruption and they are hoping that the strikers who are due to go on a fortnight's overtime ban from tomorrow will consider their position in the light of the fact that a new offer is coming."
'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.
The union said that at Glasgow Sheriff Court, the busiest court in Europe, four out of seven courts were closed. 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: "We anticipate that a few of the smaller courts may close and that others will experience a reduced level of service - for example the closure of public counters - but we are unable to confirm the likely impact on individual courts. 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.
"Arrangements are being made for all essential court business to be dealt with." "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."