Council strike looms after pay talks collapse

The
prospect of a national strike by council workers increased after pay talks
between unions and local government employers broke down.

The
unions involved – Unison, the Transport and General Workers’ Union and the GMB
– want a one-year deal worth 4 per cent for all workers, and the abolition of
the three bottom rungs on the pay ladder.

This
would bring the minimum wage in local government up to £6 per hour –
significantly above the £4.85 national minimum wage anticipated in this week’s
Budget.

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The
current package on offer is 7 per cent over three years. Employers argue that
this package would boost low earnings, because they also want to agree local
deals to tackle pay inequality.

By Mike Berry