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Industrial action ballot at SEPA Industrial action ballot at Sepa
(about 8 hours later)
A ballot on industrial action is to begin among nearly 800 employees at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. A ballot on industrial action is to begin among almost 800 employees at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Almost 40% of staff have been given three months notice unless they accept new terms and conditions.Almost 40% of staff have been given three months notice unless they accept new terms and conditions.
The public sector union, Unison, whose members are being balloted, said it will not be "bullied."The public sector union, Unison, whose members are being balloted, said it will not be "bullied."
Sepa said it had to comply with equality legislation and added that the new arrangements would bring significant benefits for many workers.Sepa said it had to comply with equality legislation and added that the new arrangements would bring significant benefits for many workers.
The publicly-funded body has about 1,300 staff at offices throughout Scotland.The publicly-funded body has about 1,300 staff at offices throughout Scotland.
Sepa, which has its corporate headquarters in Stirling, said under the new arrangements 90% of staff would receive pay increases but around 130 employees will not receive rises in the near future.Sepa, which has its corporate headquarters in Stirling, said under the new arrangements 90% of staff would receive pay increases but around 130 employees will not receive rises in the near future.
Their pay "will be temporarily held back in order to bring their salary within their new pay grade", Sepa said.Their pay "will be temporarily held back in order to bring their salary within their new pay grade", Sepa said.
'Bullied and brow-beaten''Bullied and brow-beaten'
The union has claimed that some staff could lose thousands of pounds each year.The union has claimed that some staff could lose thousands of pounds each year.
The ballot will ask staff if they are prepared to take action short of strike action, working to contract and contracted hours.The ballot will ask staff if they are prepared to take action short of strike action, working to contract and contracted hours.
The union claimed this would be likely to restrict the ability of Sepa to carry out work relating to sampling, inspection and flood warning.The union claimed this would be likely to restrict the ability of Sepa to carry out work relating to sampling, inspection and flood warning.
Unison's Sepa branch chairman, Alan Fleming, said: "We have now had to start the procedures that could lead to industrial action.Unison's Sepa branch chairman, Alan Fleming, said: "We have now had to start the procedures that could lead to industrial action.
"Morale amongst the workforce is low and Unison will not allow members to be bullied and brow-beaten in this way.""Morale amongst the workforce is low and Unison will not allow members to be bullied and brow-beaten in this way."
The ballot will close on 25 April.The ballot will close on 25 April.