04 April 2008
Union leaders representing 1.4 million council workers moved closer to following 200,000 teachers on to the picket lines this week, putting renewed pressure on Gordon Brown as he restated his determination to hold down public sector pay.
The GMB, Unison and Unite unions expressed disappointment at the local government employers' April 2 offer of a 2.45% rise for most staff, with 3% for those on the bottom three points of the pay scale.
Unison head of local government Heather Wakefield said: 'The value of local government workers' wages is falling while the cost of essentials is spiralling.
'Even with the bottom-loading, the lowest pay rate in local government will still be less than Tesco's.'
But Brian Baldwin, chair of the employers' side, said: 'This final offer is fair, affordable and consistent with the government's current public sector pay policy.'
At an April 1 press conference, the prime minister reiterated that the government was 'looking for public sector pay settlements that are in line with the inflation needs of the country'.
But Brown's remarks were followed within hours by the National Union of Teachers' announcement that its almost 200,000 members would strike on April 24, after a three-to-one vote for action.
General secretary Steve Sinnott said: 'The government is wrong to determine a pay increase for teachers below the rate of inflation… [which is] presently 4.1% and teachers will receive for 2008 2.45%.'
Local government unions also took umbrage at Brown's stance. GMB national officer Brian Strutton warned: 'If Gordon Brown is trying to
pre-empt local government pay talks and cap [the rise] at 2%, GMB can tell him it will lead to a strike.'
Up to 100,000 civil servants at the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Transport and the Maritime and Coastguard Service – all in dispute over pay – could strike alongside the teachers on April 24, the PCS union said.
PFapr2008
