Most council staff have considered leaving jobs

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

The NOP survey , commissioned by public sector Unison to look at
attitudes to pay and working conditions, also found that 71 per
cent felt that compared to this time last year workload and
pressure had increased.

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 July 17.

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

Staff in London councils took strike action recently in a
campaign over London weighting, which Unison wants to see raised to
a flat rate of £4,000 for inner and outer London.

Heather Wakefield, Unison national secretary for local
government, 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.