Trade Union Latest: Scottish Water Statement
Scottish Water Statement on Trade Union Strike Action and Talks
UPDATED: Friday, 6 June 2025
Following latest talks with the Joint Trade Unions on Friday, 6 June 2025, Scottish Water has published the following statement.
A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: “After the latest talks with the Joint Trade Unions on Friday, we made an improved pay offer that would see average wages increase by more than 7% over two years. This included a minimum increase of £2,825 over the period.
“In addition, we also proposed a number of other enhancements, including improved stand-by payments and carers’ leave.
“This is a very strong and progressive offer that balances the interests of our people and customers, and we asked the Joint Trade Unions to ballot their members on the new proposal. So we are glad they are doing so and hope members vote to accept our offer.
“It is in everyone’s interests that the current dispute is resolved so that our people can get the pay increases they deserve and continue delivering an essential service to the people of Scotland.”
As an example, a Scottish Water Treatment Operator on a current salary of £31,205 would move to £35,185, following both the pay offer and their annual in-grade increase. The pay offer alone would lift their salary to £33,980 – an increase of almost 9%. The annual in-grade increase (pay progression) is worth a further 3.5%
This latest round of pay negotiations started in June 2024. Since then, Scottish Water has made eight offers.
Unlike other parts of the public sector, average wages at Scottish Water have increased by more than 10% above inflation (CPI) over the last decade, reflecting the company’s investment in its people.
