Council and school staff strike ballot

Nearly 400,000 council and school staff are being ballot over strike action over pay.

Union officials at Unison are recommending strike action to 370,000 members who have been sent ballot papers following an “inadequate” pay offer for its members – which includes refuse collectors, teaching assistants and social workers.

Most staff have been offered 1.75% by local government employers, with 2.75% for those on the lowest pay level.

With inflation at 4.2% Unison says this amounts to a significant pay cut for workers who helped keep services running in local communities throughout the pandemic.

Earlier this year Unison submitted a joint pay claim –along with GM Band Unite– for at least 10% for all council and school support employees. UNISON regional secretary Clare Williams said: “Council and school workers have gone the extra mile throughout the pandemic, keeping schools open, ensuring communities are safe and providing essential services – and often at risk to their own health.

“This inadequate pay offer shows they’re undervalued, particularly with the cost of living being ramped up. They should be given the credit they’re due and rewarded properly.

“It’s still not too late for the employers to do the right thing by making a decent offer to avoid strike action.The government should also play its part by providing the necessary funds.”

The ballot will close on January 14.

Unison is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy.