GMB members In local government In England, Wales And Northern Ireland vote to accept pay offer from April 1, 2013
There is still a long way to go to restore living standards for front line council staff that provide essential services and protect the most vulnerable members of our communities says GMB.
220,000 GMB members whose pay is set by the National Joint Council for Local Government in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have voted in a secret postal ballot to accept a 1% pay offer from 1 April 2013.
A total of 1.5 million workers are covered by this deal which was an improvement on an initial offer of 1% with detrimental changes to terms and conditions attached. See notes to editors for copy of employers letter with offer.
In addition under the offer those staff on the lowest pay scale will see a further pay rise of 1.4% to lift them above the national minimum wage.
GMB voting figures are as follows: 91.2% to accept; 8.8% to reject; turnout 26.5%.
Brian Strutton, GMB National Secretary said:
"GMB members have clearly said that they are willing to accept the local government pay offer which is worth a little over 1% on the pay bill.
I'm pleased that we have managed to break the pay freeze that had been imposed for three years. But there is still a long way to go to restore living standards for front line council staff that clean our streets, empty our bins, look after our children in schools and nurseries, our elderly at home and in care homes, and protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.
So I call on every local authority to budget for a decent pay rise in 2014 and show some respect for their hard working staff."
