The Public Sector People Managers’ Association (PPMA) has blasted unions for formally rejecting the 0.5% pay award for council workers.
The body, which represents public sector managers, including local government senior employees, questioned why the unions were contesting the rise given the current economic climate and described the offer as “realistic and affordable”.
Jim Savege, lead on pay at the PPMA, told Personnel Today: “We are disappointed that the trade unions seem to be living in a different reality in rejecting this at a time where the reality across many other sectors is pay freezes, pay reductions and job cuts.”
Unison, GMB and Unite last week turned down the offer made by the Local Government Association (LGA), claiming the rise would not help workers struggling to make ends meet.
Unison’s head of local government, Heather Wakefield, said: “The offer makes no sense. We know that councils have budgeted for an average 2.25% increase this year, so the 0.5% offer does not reflect what councils themselves believe is affordable. We know that some local authorities are very uncomfortable with it.”
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Earlier this month, the LGA threatened to withdraw the award by 1 June in favour of a pay freeze if unions did not accept it.
Both sides have agreed to hold further meetings to continue negotiations.
