GMB refuse collectors, school staff and council workers have overwhelmingly rejected a ‘pathetic’ pay offer.
In total, three quarters [75%] of those balloted turned down the below inflation offer of 1.75% pay offer set out by the NJC employers.
With inflation running at 4.8% RPI, the offer represents another real terms pay cut after a decade of austerity.
GMB and unions Unison and Unite have called for a minimum 10% pay rise.
Senior GMB reps have met and agreed to trigger a consultative industrial action ballot.
Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary, said:
“School staff, refuse collectors and council workers have kept our country moving through the coronavirus crisis, often putting themselves in harm's way.
“They’ve had their pay slashed by 23% in real terms during a decade of austerity – now they’re being offered yet another pay cut. It’s offensive.
"GMB will urge local government employers to get back round the table and improve the pay offer or we will have no alternative but to begin preparing for Industrial action.”
