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Local government workers are set to strike again this week in selective London boroughs to call for a flat rate London weighting of £4,000,writes Clare Jerrom.
 
Pay talks over the issue broke down when the employers’ side withdrew the “small” offer of £201 that they made in April, according to public sector union Unison.

The move follows the publication of the Local Government Pay Commission report two weeks ago, which recommended a unified rate of London weighting across the capital to acknowledge the problems faced by staff trying to live and work in London.

“The trade unions are very angry at the stance the employers have taken,” said David Eggmore, chairperson of Unison’s London local government committee.

“The pay commission has recognised that London weighting is a lottery throughout the public services, and have accepted Unison’s argument that cost compensation is necessary for London workers.”

Current London weighting is between £1,500 and £2,850. This compares to £4,300 for the London Fire Brigade, and there are proposals for National Health Service staff to receive a London weighting between £3,000 and £5,000.

Industrial action will take place in the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Ealing, Greenwich, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and Westminster.