Council and school workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will hold protests today as part of Unison's campaign for fair pay and council funding.
The protests take place on the eve of a strike ballot over this year's 1% pay offer by Local Government Employers.
Unison's head of local government, Heather Wakefield, said: 'Council workers are tired of the Government treating them like they are at the bottom of the pile and they are tired of going that extra mile for worse than nothing.
'In the wake of Government cuts and almost 500,000 job losses in councils alone, they continue to educate and support children in schools, maintain crucial local services, keep our communities clean and safe places to live, and protect the homeless and vulnerable.
'The overwhelming decision by Unison's local government and school members to reject this year's pay offer and move to a strike ballot is a clear sign of the strength of feeling among our members over the issue of pay.'
Unison has called for all local government and school workers to be paid at least the Living Wage of £7.65 an hour and £8.80 in London.
