More than 360,000 council and school support staff across England and Wales will begin voting today on whether to take industrial action over pay.
Unison has begun balloting members after more than four-fifths (81%) rejected the £1,290 pay offer for 2024-25, which equates to a 5.8% rise for the lowest paid.
The trade union said the offer fell short of what employees needed and had been superseded by deals achieved by other public sector workers.
Unison head of local government Mike Short said: ‘Local government finances are in a dire state, but that doesn’t mean staff should be denied a fair pay rise after 14 years of austerity and low wages.
‘Employers still have time to come back with a better offer.
‘Central government also needs to assist employers by providing stable, long-term funding settlements that allow councils and schools to retain expert staff and protect the vital services on which our communities rely.’
Unite also began balloting staff on strike action last week, while GMB members voted in July to accept the pay offer.
