UNISON rejects local government pay offer of 2.5 per cent

UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today rejected a 2.5 per cent pay offer by local government employers at the end of the first round of pay talks.

UNISON is seeking a £1,750 or six per cent pay rise for 1.3 million local government workers – 57 per cent earn less than £12,500 a year.

The next round of pay negotiations have been scheduled for February 28.

UNISON National Secretary, Local Government, Malcolm Wing, said:

“Local government workers will obviously be disappointed and angry that such a derisory figure has been offered. It will do nothing to close the growing pay gap between local government workers and other workers in both the public sector and wider economy.

“It leaves tens of thousands of staff earning less than £5 an hour – which is simply not acceptable in this day and age.

“Between now and the 28th, UNISON will be asking our members to lobby their local councils to try and ensure that when we meet again there will be a more realistic and serious offer on the table.”

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