Laura Sharman 18 July 2014

Council staff hope to avoid further strike action

More than half of council staff want further strike action to be ruled out following the dispute last Thursday, according to new research.

The survey of local government workers, conducted by Local Government News magazine, found that 57% said staff do not want to strike again if the pay offer is not increased.

However, it did reveal that 71% thought the strike helped raise the profile of low pay in local government. This is a significant increase from before the strike took place, with our previous survey showing only 49% believed it would have this effect.

Of those surveyed, 58% reported public services were reduced or closed as a result of the strike action in their council area.

When asked about concerns that more staff would be made redundant if the pay offer was increased, council staff had divided opinions. Half of those surveyed said this was a genuine concern for them, but the other half said this would not be a consequence of a pay rise.

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: 'Most local government staff did not vote to strike and did not take part in strike action. We urge the unions to accept the pay offer so that this money can reach our employees who have been waiting for it since April.'

UNISON's head of local government, Heather Wakefield, said: 'There was a strong majority vote for this action in a secret ballot. It was a massive step for local government workers, many of whom are paid barely above the minimum wage, to sacrifice a day's pay and walk out.

'There is no doubt that the strike was an enormous success in raising the profile of low pay in local government in both the media and amongst the general public, and we are urging the employers to recognise the depth of feeling that council workers showed on the strike day by coming back to the table to settle this dispute.'

Click here to read a selection of comments made by council staff on last week’s strike.

Register for your free copy of Local Government News for more in-depth coverage of issues affecting local government

Why age alone shouldn’t define local government leadership image

Why age alone shouldn’t define local government leadership

Age should never define leadership in local government, says Graeme McDonald, Managing Director of Solace. Instead, councils should invest in inclusive, skills-based development for officers and councillors to deliver effective public services.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Residential Youth Practitioner

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
The Move On Service provides intensive supported housing accommodation for young people aged 16 to 18 years who are in the care of the local authority, working to create individual plans for those requiring additional support for their transition towards Witney
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Locality and Community Support Worker - North

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
The Locality & Community Support Service in North Oxfordshire are seeking to recruit a Locality Support Worker to join their Locality & Community Support Team. The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic worker who is passionate about improving outc Banbury
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner