Our members put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public, their dedication must be recognised, says GMB Union
GMB, along with sister Local Government Unions, Unison and Unite submitted a pay claim on Monday 15th February which they say begins to redress a decade of cuts and recognises the key role played in the pandemic by school and council staff.
The claim calls for a ‘substantial’ pay increase from this April with a wage rise of at least 10% for all council and school support employees in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The pay of the lowest paid workers would go above £10 per hour – lifting them above the real living wage of £9.50 per hour (outside London).
GMB, Unison and Unite – who represent 1.4 million council and school employees collectively – say only a significant pay award can begin to tackle ten years of savage local authority cuts and pay restraint. Staff working in local government have seen up to 25% wiped from the value of their pay, the unions say.
Council employees include refuse collectors, library staff, teaching assistants and care employees – key workers who help communities to function, say the three unions.
The covid crisis has been a reminder that local authorities are vital to the communities they serve especially during the past hugely challenging year. Staff deserve better pay and working conditions, the unions say.
More information on the claim will be issued to members shortly. Please make sure your contact details are up to date by visiting My GMB
Posted: 17th February 2021