Local government unions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have written to employers accepting the 2013 pay offer – while warning them that a similar offer next year ‘will be totally unacceptable’.
The offer is for:
- a 1% increase on all pay points and nationally-agreed protected allowances with effect from 1 April 2013;
- deletion of the lowest pay pioint – pay point 4 – with effect from 1 October 2013.
However, the joint letter – signed by UNSION’s head of local government Heather Wakefield on behalf of the joint union secretaries – held a warning for local government employers.
“In accepting the offer, the trade union side wishes to make it clear to the employers that this below-inflation pay offer falls far below our aspirations and what members deserve,” it stated.
“It means a further pay cut for our members after a three-year pay freeze. “A significant proportion of our members voted to reject the offer and a similar offer next year will be totally unacceptable.”
UNISON and GMB members voted to accept the offer in union consultations.
• UNISON local government members in Scotland are currently balloting on industrial action after rejected the pay offer from Scottish councils.