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

Union issues strike threat over 3.3% pay offer

By William Eichler | 15 June 2026

Thousands of council workers could walk out on strike after their union vowed to ballot members over what it called an ‘unacceptable’ pay offer.

PAY

Lessons from Swansea: A collaborative approach to addressing poverty stigma

By Amanda Hill-Dixon | 11 June 2026

Amanda Hill-Dixon sets out evidence-informed actions for councils to reduce poverty stigma through universal services, dignified support, inclusive communica...

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.

Popular articles by Laura Sharman