UNISON, the union representing 800,000 local government workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, has today released a survey which blows a hole in the myth of the well paid 9 to 5 council worker, who can sit back and wait for promotion.
The survey released to coincide with the start of pay talks, shows that although 68% of those surveyed had worked for local government for more than 10 years, only a half have ever been promoted and one third had been promoted just once. More than a fifth regularly work weekends and bank holidays, with split, mixed shifts and multiple jobs a significant feature.
Heather Wakefield, UNISON Head of Local Government said: