Title

PAY

Unite rejects local government pay offer

Unite has rejected the flat rate pay rise offered to all council staff this week.

Unite has rejected the flat rate pay rise offered to all council staff this week.

Employers have put forward a flat rate pay rise of £1,925, saying this would give the lowest paid workers a double digit pay increase.

However, Unite has rejected the offer arguing it represents a cut in real terms.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: 'Most local government workers are being offered yet another pay cut masquerading as a pay increase.

'Council workers have seen their rates of pay massively eroded for over a decade through pay freezes and below inflation increases. Highly skilled and experienced workers are leaving the sector in droves as they are undervalued and struggling to make ends meet.

'Council leaders need to stop ducking the issue and make an offer that both meets members' expectations and which starts to tackle the decade plus decline in council workers' pay.'

The union warned it would consider all options in how to escalate the dispute if an improved offer is not made.

Thousands of Scottish council workers have voted to strike in a dispute over pay this week.

PAY

What England can learn from Japan's approach to local government finance

By Naoki Fujiwara | 04 June 2026

Consideration of Japan’s approach to local government funding suggests possibilities for doing things differently in England and opens up space to think abou...

PAY

Unions call for 'urgent' pay talks

By Martin Ford | 29 May 2026

Trade unions have called for employers to come to the negotiating table after rejecting a ‘full and final’ from employers.

PAY

GMB members vote to reject pay offer

By Dan Peters | 28 May 2026

Members of trade union GMB have voted to reject a 3.3% pay offer from the Local Government Association (LGA) for 2026-27.

PAY

The changing face of local government

By Rachael Morris | 28 May 2026

Rachael Morris discusses why political change is becoming a workforce risk and has an impact on psychological safety.

Popular articles by Laura Sharman