Unite has decided to recommend rejection of the local government pay offer arguing it amounts to a real terms pay cut of 10%.

Last month’s offer equated to an increase of 9.42% this year for the lowest paid (those earning £20,441 per annum). For those on all pay points above the top of the pay spine, an offer of 3.88% was on the table.

However, Unite’s national committee has decided to recommend rejecting the offer and warns employers of ‘growing anger’ among workers.

The union argues that with the real inflation rate (RPI) currently standing at 13.4%, the offer amounts to a real terms pay cut of nearly 10% for some members.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Local government workers provide vital frontline services. They are now absolutely determined to fight for a pay increase that will not see their pay eroded by inflation for yet another year.

‘Local government employers need to enter into full pay negotiations and make a decent pay offer if industrial action is to be avoided.’

Unite acting national officer Clare Keogh said: ‘Local government employers need to recognise that there is growing anger among local government workers about the way they are treated year after year in pay negotiations. If the employers want to avoid industrial action they need to make a much improved offer. It is as simple as that.’

UNISON head of local government Mike Short said: 'These unsung workers deserve to be properly rewarded. But this offer falls short of what’s needed when the value of their pay has been chipped away for years and bills are soaring.

'Preparations are now underway to ballot council and school employees to see if they’re prepared to strike to achieve a better deal.'