UNISON asks school workers to vote on strike action

UNISON is asking social workers, teaching assistants, planning officers, caretakers and other school and council staff if they are prepared to take strike action over this year's pay offer.

The announcement comes after a consultation concerning the 2024/25 wage rise for local authority and school workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, where 81 per cent of the workers who took part opted to reject what they’d been offered.

The pay offer from the local government employers was for £1,290. This offer was accepted by the GMB, but not by UNISON or Unite.

Ballot papers are to be sent to around 360,000 UNISON members across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The ballot will open on 4 September and close on 16 October.

UNISON head of local government Mike Short said: “Council and school staff were asked what they wanted to do about the employers’ pay offer. A majority of those who took part opted to reject the £1,290 increase.

“Now the union’s committee of leading activists has decided to conduct an industrial action ballot to try to secure an improved pay offer.

“The legal threshold required is a hard one to meet, and so everyone who wants to take action must be sure that they and all their colleagues return their ballot papers. The local government employers should come forward with an improved pay offer.”