A 1% pay offer for local government workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is “unacceptable” and makes industrial action “invevitable”, the joint unions warned this week.
The joint unions – who include UNISON, Unite and the GMB – met on 28 February to discuss the employers’ refusal to make an offer, the likelihood of any offer being limited to 1% overall and employers attempts to link pay talks the link to the national minimum wage.
The joint trade union side declared that it:
- “deplores the employers’ failure to make an offer on 14 February 2014 and their statement on 21 February 2014 that a 1% remit was not negotiable;
- “rejects any pegging of NJC pay to the national minimum wage;
- “reiterates the view expressed by our members last year that 1% for 2014/15 would not be acceptable.
“In light of the above, the NJC trade union side believes industrial action looks inevitable and we are preparing accordingly.”
For the latest on the local government pay campaign, click here.
