Local government faces national strike

Unison sent notices to more than 400 councils in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland this week informing them of the national
strike that is due to take place on Wednesday (July 17),
writes Katie Leason.

The action is expected to affect social services, residential
care and home care as well as education, housing and transport.

Unison is claiming a £1,750 or 6 per cent pay rise to bring
the minimum wage in local government to £11,017. Currently
more than 250,000 local government workers earn less than £5
an hour.

Unison members rejected the 3 per cent offer by the employers,
and voted for industrial action. Local government members from the
unions GMB and TGWU will join them.

The Employers Organisation stated that 3 per cent is their final
offer as it is all that most councils have budgeted for.