Martin Ford 06 October 2021

More unions announce strike ballots

More unions announce strike ballots image

More trade unions have moved a step closer to industrial action after members rejected the latest pay offer.

Unite’s 70,000 local government members voted by 81% per cent to reject the 1.75% offer, described as ‘insulting’ by general secretary Sharon Graham, for staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Of those who voted to reject, 85% were ‘supportive’ of taking industrial action.

Unite’s national local government committee will meet tomorrow to discuss its next steps, with a strike ballot ‘very much on the cards’ according to national officer for local government, Jim Kennedy.

He added: ‘This overwhelming vote to reject sends a resounding message to the employers that hardworking and dedicated council staff are saying enough is enough.

‘They have kept schools open, cared for our elderly, ensured the bins are emptied regularly, buried our dead and kept our libraries functioning – but this offer of 1.75 per cent is an insult and way below the RPI rate of inflation, currently at 4.8 per cent.’

GMB has also announced today it will ballot its members on industrial action after 75% voted to reject the offer.

National secretary Rehana Azam said: ‘GMB will urge local government employers to get back round the table and improve the pay offer or we will have no alternative but to begin preparing for Industrial action.’

Earlier this week, Unison announced it would ballot for industrial action among its 400,000 council and school members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

All three unions have called for a minimum 10% pay rise.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Communications and Engagement Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£44,331 - £47,532
We’re looking for two enthusiastic and dedicated communications professionals to join our team and work on communications for transport. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Families Information Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£38,934 - £40,755
The Greenwich Families information Service is requiring cover for maternity leave within the team. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Finance Assistant

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£31,524 - £32,931
Roles have generic job descriptions across the department’s full range of accounting services. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Housing Assurance Service Manager

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£55,675 - £56,649
We’re building a brand-new assurance team in our Homes & Neighbourhoods service Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Trainee Public Health Practitioner

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£24,404 - £24,790
Working within the Kirklees Public Health Improvement team Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Linkedin Banner