The UK could see one of the biggest ever strikes by public sector workers next month.
Some 73% of GMB members in councils and schools voted in favour of a 24-hour strike, which could see two million workers walk out on July 10.
GMB national secretary, Brian Strutton, said ‘We have tried sensible discussions, we’ve sought to negotiate reasonably, we’ve said we are willing to accept ACAS arbitration rather than go on strike – but to everything we’ve tried the employers have said “no”. So we have no choice.’
He said members were ‘fed up with being ignored and undervalued’.
‘Their pay has gone up only 1% since 2010 and in October even the national minimum wage will overtake local authority pay scales. Their case is reasonable, the employers won’t listen and don’t care, no wonder they have turned to strike action as the only way of making their voices heard. With other unions involved too, the 10 July looks like being the second biggest dispute ever with up to two million workers on strike.’
The Local Government Association said it was ‘disappointing’ that strike action was being pursued when just 23% of members took part in the ballot – a turnout the GMB said was ‘slightly above average’.
‘Local government staff have worked wonders while councils have been tackling the biggest funding cuts in living memory and we have no doubt that many will still be at work on the day of strike action.
‘The pay offer we have made would increase the pay of most employees by one per cent while the lowest paid would receive an increase of more than four per cent. This is the fairest possible deal for our employees given the limits of what we can afford.
‘This strike will not change the pay offer we have made, but it will mean those who take part lose a day’s pay.’
Unison members also voted in favour of strike action last week.
