Local government workers, including social care staff, will almost certainly be balloted on action over the employers’ 2% pay offer for 2007-8, Unison has said.
The union said its local government negotiating team would meet on 20 August to decide on whether to ballot for action. It looks set to approve a ballot after 81% of members rejected the 2% offer in a consultation.
Unison also said fellow unions GMB and Unite were also preparing to ballot their members across England, Wales and Northern Ireland on industrial action.
Unison added that talks between the unions and Local Government Employers, which represents councils in talks with unions, were unlikely to resume before 20 August.
The unions had previously said they would ballot members if LGE did not improve its offer, which is well below their claim of 5% and the retail price index inflation rate, which was 4.4% in June.
An LGE spokesperson said the organisation was always open to negotiation but the offer remains 2%.
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