News

Almost 70 per cent of local government workers considered leaving their jobs in the past year, according to a survey of 4,500 staff.

The NOP survey, commissioned by public sector union Unison to look at attitudes to pay and working conditions, also found that 71 per cent felt that workload and pressure had increased during the past year.

The survey's findings, which highlight poor pay as a key reason for workers' dissatisfaction, came as Unison started balloting local government staff this week to support a national strike over pay on 17 July.

The union is one of three - with GMB and TGWU - which are asking for a 6 per cent rise.

Meanwhile, council staff in London staged a two-day strike this week over London weighting, which Unison wants to see raised to a flat rate of £4,000 for inner and outer London.

Unison national secretary for local government Heather Wakefield said: "The employers can show they are serious about the recruitment and retention crisis by making a realistic pay offer and demonstrating just how much they value their employees."

But executive director of the Employers Organisation Charles Nolda said that the current 3 per cent offer would not be bettered.

"Councils cannot afford more. Going out on strike will not reopen negotiations or find extra money," he said. Urging workers to "reject the futile calls for strike action," Nolda said the 3 per cent deal, which he claimed was well above inflation, was a "fair and reasonable offer".

The organisation's deputy executive director Rob Pinkham added: "What the unions are asking for would add almost 12 per cent to the pay bill."

He said that in order to meet the demand for a 6 per cent rise, cuts in staffing would be needed or council tax would have to be raised by an average of £80 per household.

- For more on the Unison survey tel: 0207 388 2366.