Local government unions, UNISON, GMB and UNITE, representing 1.6 million workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, today (27 July) formally agreed to consult members on an improved pay offer* for 2009/2010, calling it the ‘best available through negotiation. The results of the unions’ consultations will be available in early to mid September.
The unions are warning that, after years of below inflation pay awards, local government workers are angry about the way they have been treated. They will be gearing up for a campaign to protect national bargaining and fight for a higher pay award next year.
Notes to Editors
*Local government staff had been offered just 0.5%, but this was increased to 1.25% from scale points 4-10 and 1% from scale points 11 to 49. Workers were also offered an extra day of leave, and the employers agreed to put in place a national redundancy avoidance agreement by December 1, 2009.
The offer covers all grades of workers in local government, including school meals workers, social workers, care workers, administrators, cleaners, refuse collectors and street cleaners, teaching assistants, parks and leisure staff and librarians.
