Staffordshire County Council union members vote in favour of pay proposals

Union members at Staffordshire County Council have voted overwhelmingly in favour of its pay and grading proposals of 28,000 staff.

Members of the GMB union voted 83% in favour of the new pay proposals, joining members of Unison (86%) and the T&G section of Unite the Union (98%), whose "yes" vote was announced last week.

It clears the way to complete the legal formalities that will allow the authority to implement its new pay structure from April.

The council's equal pay proposals is part of the 1997 Single Status Agreement, and is a process which looks at harmonising pay across local government.

Of the 27,619 employment contracts affected by the new proposed structure at Staffordshire County Council, 1,180 contracts, about 10%, would enter pay protection.

Council leader John Taylor said to reach an agreement with unions representing 28,000 staff, and to have those staff then back the proposals so emphatically, was a major achievement.

"This has been a long process that has not been without its difficulties, but the authority and the unions have always worked together in the best interests of our workforce and the people of Staffordshire who rely on the services provided by the county council," he said.