Scottish Borders Housing Staff Get Pay and Conditions Boost

Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) workers have recently achieved a significant pay and conditions improvement after successful negotiations with unions. Around 160 employees at SBHA will now benefit from a 5.5% increase in their basic pay, along with enhanced working conditions.

Unions Unite and UNISON have played a crucial role in securing this deal for SBHA staff. In addition to the pay rise, employees will enjoy an 8% rise in stand-by payments and an extra day off for St Andrew’s Day. The unions have worked closely with SBHA to ensure that office-based staff and trades workers, such as joiners, painters, plumbers, plasterers, electricians, and roofers, are represented fairly in this agreement.

The pay deal, effective from April, received overwhelming support from union members, with 97% of Unite’s membership backing the agreement. Pat Egan, Unite industrial officer, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the increased income benefits for SBHA workers providing essential repair and maintenance services.

Greig Kelbie, the regional organiser for UNISON, also praised the deal, noting that their members overwhelmingly supported it. He emphasised the importance of recognising the hard work of housing association staff and the positive impact of collaboration between unions and employers.

A spokesperson for Scottish Borders Housing Association expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the pay increase and additional holiday demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to valuing and acknowledging the dedication of their team, especially during challenging economic times.