Local government unions submit joint pay claim

Local government unions representing council staff in Rochdale today (Wednesday 14 January) submitted their annual pay claim for an increase of at least the level of retail price inflation, with additional salary increases for the lowest paid.

The claim covers all grades of workers in local government including refuse collectors, teaching assistants, school meals, social workers, administrators, cleaners, parks and leisure, librarians and comes as local government unions and employers begin binding arbitration over last year’s pay claim.

UNISON Head of Local Government, Heather Wakefield, said: “It cannot be right that whilst local council chiefs have been delivering efficiency savings above and beyond those called for by central government, local council staff have been forced into debt by year after year of below inflation pay awards.

“As the worst effects of the credit crunch reach our communities, the first line of defence will be provided by local council staff, but they remain some of the lowest paid workers in the public sector. It is high time that the vital work they do was reflected in a fair pay award.”

Brian Strutton, GMB National Secretary, said: “Council Chiefs have been on a gravy train of greed, awarding themselves embarrassingly large pay rises without justification. Meanwhile ordinary Council workers have had sub-inflation pay awards despite making significant efficiency improvements. The inequality has got to stop and that’s why GMB says 2009 must be the year of fair pay for Council staff.”

Peter Allenson, Unite national officer for public services, said: "This claim is deserved and is affordable. Our members deliver year on year efficiencies for their employers and work hard to continually improve services for the public.

"But their pay in real terms has fallen backwards, which is de-motivating and unacceptable. If local government wishes to be an employer of choice, it has to address the very real cost of living issues facing its workforce."