The three unions representing council workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have today (Wednesday) rejected the 2% initial pay offer made by the local government employers.
Last summer UNISON, GMB and Unite – which between them have more than a million local government members – submitted the pay claim for 2020/21.
If accepted, this would mean that £10 an hour would be the lowest rate for council staff from this April. Everyone else would receive a 10% wage rise.
The three unions have now called on the local government employers to think again and come up with a better offer so talks can continue as soon as possible.
UNISON Northern Regional Secretary Clare Williams said: “Council staff run vital local services across our region. They’ve done this through thick and thin, as cuts and redundancies have made their jobs ever more challenging. Today’s offer is more than disappointing.
“It’s high time teaching assistants, care workers, librarians and park keepers were rewarded for their sterling efforts during the difficult decade of austerity.
“The chancellor must give councils the cash in the Budget to fund a proper pay rise. Otherwise experienced staff will be lost as they seek better paid work elsewhere and there’ll be barely anyone left to deliver local services.”