What is the unions’ pay claim for 2024/25?
The three recognised local government unions (Unison, GMB and Unite) have submitted the following above-inflation claim, to be payable from April:
- All employees to receive a wage rise of £3,000 or 10%, whichever is higher • All employers to agree a clear plan to reach a minimum pay rate of £15 an hour in a maximum of two years • An additional day of annual leave for all staff regardless of their current entitlement.
What has been the employers’ response to the claim?
The Local Government Employers are currently consulting in a series of roadshows. Its response is not expected until April at the earliest.
What is the NEU’s opinion?
The NEU executive fully supports the recognised unions’ claim, as it will go some way towards addressing the fact that average support staff pay has been cut by more than a quarter since 2010. We are keen to work alongside Unison, GMB and Unite, in a General Election year, to address the funding of pay, jobs and conditions of service – and have written to them to say just that.