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.”
Strike
ballots will start on 10 June 2002. The results will be announced a month later.
