Thousands
of London-based local government staff will vote on whether to strike next month.
The
T&G trade union is to ballot members over an offer of a 3 per cent annual
pay increase and around £2,000
London weighting.
The
union is demanding a weighting
of £4,000.
Jack
Dromey, T&G national organiser, said: “Low pay breeds low motivation. With
a mounting crisis in recruitment and retention of staff, now is the time for
councils to value their staff and pay them a decent wage.”
Tommy
Douras, T&G London local government specialist, said: “A flat rate of
£4,000 is fair. It will go a long
way to lifting many out of poverty pay levels in our capital. In our view local
government employers cannot afford not to pay it.”
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Strike
ballots will start on 10 June 2002. The results will be announced a month later.