Unions threaten to strike over pay

Local Government unions have condemned a 2.45 per cent ‘cheapskate’ pay offer and are considering strike action.

The GMB, UNISON and Unite union members include home care workers, teaching assistants, nursery nurses, school caretakers and cooks, library staff, park keepers and bin men.

All three unions are now consulting their members.

They represent more than a million workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and say the offer of 2.45 per cent for most staff - 3 per cent for those on lowest pay - is the fifth year of below-inflation pay deals.

GMB National Secretary Brian Strutton said: “We are very disappointed with this cheapskate offer.

“Those at the top of Local Government have had 11 per cent pay rises over the past two years while the rest have had half that. The hard-working people delivering front-line council services to the public deserve better.

“GMB will put this to a national conference of stewards on 24 April to determine our stance, then we will consult our members to see if they want to accept the offer or take strike action.”

Date article online: 05/04/2008