School support staff vote on strike action over pay

More than 360,000 council and school support staff across England and Wales have begun voting on whether to take strike action over pay, trade union Unison has said.

They said the 2024/25 flat rate pay offer of £1,290 from local government employers falls short of what council employees need and has also been superseded by the deals achieved by some other public sector workers.

This year’s pay deal was due from April, but the disappointing offer has delayed the process, Unison said. When the union consulted workers, more than four-fifths of those who took part opted to reject the sum.

Now social workers, teaching assistants, refuse collectors, caretakers, planning officers and other staff at more than 4,000 organisations will be asked if they’re prepared to strike.

The six-week ballot began yesterday (4 September) and closes on 16 October.

Meanwhile, the union is urging employers to improve their offer and is calling for central government to help fund an improved deal and look at the longer-term investment it gives to councils.

Unsion head of local government Mike Short said: “Local government finances are in a dire state, but that doesn’t mean staff should be denied a fair pay rise after 14 years of austerity and low wages. Employers still have time to come back with a better offer.

“Central government also needs to assist employers by providing stable, long-term funding settlements that allow councils and schools to retain expert staff and protect the vital services on which our communities rely.”