10 May 2002
Unison, the T&G and the GMB are trying to ratchet up the pressure on councils by appealing to elected members to address what they say are serious problems with pay and staffing levels.
The letter, sent on May 7, warns that morale among workers is low, recruitment and retention of staff is a widespread problem and council pay rates are falling behind those elsewhere in the public sector. The unions intend to ballot members next month on whether to take strike action over pay.
In the letter, the unions reiterate their demand for a 6% or £1,750 pay rise, whichever is greater, for their 1.4 million local government members. It also called on each authority to meet local union representatives 'to avert industrial action'.
But an Employers' Organisation spokesman said councils would continue to argue for the 3% offer made in February. 'In any such meetings, councils will outline the advantages of the pay offer,' he said.
Meanwhile, Unison's London local government members have voted for strike action in support of their claim for a £4,000 flat-rate London weighting allowance. The first day is scheduled for May 14.
PFmay2002
