Local government unions call for substantial pay increase

U.K.

The three main unions representing municipal workers – Unison, Unite and GMB – have put in a pay claim for an increase of at least 10% from this April. They say this will begin to redress a decade of cuts and recognise the key role ​played in the pandemic ​by school and council staff. The negotiations cover staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the claim aims to bring the lowest paid workers above £10 (EUR 11.50) per hour. This would put them above the ​real “​living ​wage” of £9.50 (EUR 10.90) per hour (outside London). The unions calculate that staff working in local government have seen up to 25% wiped from the value of their pay.

Joint press release

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