News In Focus
21 November 2007
Strike threat by prosecutors
Procurators fiscal are considering industrial action in January because of what they view as a broken promise over pay by the Crown Office.
Officials promised to look at the pay grades earlier this year, after prosecutors voted to strike over a grievance at not being graded equally with Scottish Government lawyers. However a further report has now recommended that the gradings remain unequal.
The First Division Association, the union which represents procurators-fiscal, has given the Crown Office written notice of its plans to ballot members next week on strike action. Should the strike take place on the suggested date of 3 January, it would result in severe disruption because of the post-new year holiday timing.
The union is accusing Crown Office of a lack of good faith over the issue.
A procurator fiscal depute on a basic grade currently earns £31,365, compared to £36,203 for an equivalent Scottish Government lawyer.