LOCAL GOVERNMENT PAY 2023

​Care workers, refuse collectors, social workers, teaching assistants, community workers, street cleaners and so many more go above and beyond every single day.

Local government staff keep communities safe, clean and accessible, yet there is often little or no recognition for your hard work.

With the cost-of-living skyrocketing to new highs every day, it’s time to rise up and demand decent pay for the work you do.

Over the past 12 years, council and school staff have lost on average 25% from the value of their pay when measured against the Retail Price Index (RPI) measure of inflation since 2010. 

UNISON has been campaigning for a decent pay rise for council and school workers. We called for a pay increase of inflation plus 2% – based on the Treasury’s annual forecast for RPI for 2023, this would amount to 12.7%. However, the local government employers have responded with an offer of a flat rate increase of £1,925 (with less for part-time and term-time workers). In a cost-of-living crisis this simply is not good enough. 

So, we’re putting it to you, our members. We are going to ballot members to ask if you wish to take industrial action over pay. Taking action will send a clear message to employers that you need a better pay rise. 

Ballot papers will be posted to you in May, but there is lots that you can do in the meantime to get ballot ready!