Pay talks stall despite agreement that 3 per cent not enough

Local government pay talks remained unresolved, but the
employers organisations have accepted that a 3 per cent offer is no
longer viable.

“There is no possibility of negotiating a settlement limited to
a 3 per cent increase from 1 April. That is the preferred position
of most authorities, it is not an option, as the trade unions will
not agree to it,” says a letter sent from the Employers’
Organisation for Local Government to all local authority chief
executives.

The letter seeks council views on the possibility of a 3.5 per
cent increase, or £380 per employee, whichever is the greater,
from 1 April.

Negotiations will continue on 20 April. “We’re still a
distance apart, but we’re still talking,” added the
spokesperson.