The Local Government Association’s National Employers group, which represents councils from England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the National Joint Council that negotiates pay deals, put forward a pay deal in December. Under the plan, most council staff would receive a 1% pay rise in each of the next two years, while those earning less than £17,714 a year would receive higher increases to take account of the new National Living Wage.
However, Unison said its members had rejected the offer. A spokeswoman said: “Unison has rejected the local government pay offer, but we await the results of both the GMB and Unite consultative ballots before deciding our next steps." These ballots results are expected within the next two weeks.
Responding to the rejection Sian Timoney, chair of the employers’ side on the NJC, said the rejection of what she called the final pay offer was disappointing.
“However, we shall await the results of GMB’s and Unite’s pay consultations, which are due in the next few weeks, before commenting further,” she added.
