Unison questions members on local government pay strike

Unison is asking its local government members whether they would support strike action over pay this year in the face of a sub-inflationary offer from employers.

The union’s local government secretary Heather Wakefield said it was “committed to supporting effective industrical action if this is required to secure a fair pay deal”.

Unison said council body Local Government Employers had suggested it may increase its offer from 2% to 2.5% and it is asking its branches to quiz members on their response to this, and whether they would favour strike action.

Unison and fellow unions the GMB and Unite have already rejected the 2% offer, and with the retail price index measure of inflation reaching 4.5% in April, it said 2.5% was unlikely to suffice.

Wakefield said any industrial action should take place alongisde other public sector workers, many of whom are in dispute over pay. Unison is planning to ballot nurses and other health workers on a proposed 1.9% deal.

Related articles
Practitioners have their say on local governmetn pay offer

Council pay offer sparks union anger