UNISON’s NJC Committee, representing 400,000 members in local government in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, today agreed to ballot members for industrial action over pay.
UNISON members in local government were asked to vote on the employers’ pay offer of 1.75%, and 79% voted to reject it.
In West Sussex the figure to reject was slightly higher at 87%.
This overwhelming majority makes clear the strength of feeling among local government workers about their pay. Council and school workers have been the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic, working tirelessly and often at risk to their own safety to serve their communities. Meanwhile, since 2010 the value of their pay has fallen by 25%. The 1.75% pay offer is completely inadequate and UNISON members have made their feelings about it clear.
Work will now begin on preparing for an industrial action ballot, in which UNISON will ask members to vote ‘yes’ to taking action in support of their campaign for better pay.