Unison chiefs endorse strike

Unison chiefs have cleared the forthcoming strike

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Bosses at Unison today formally endorsed local government members' decision to strike over pay on July 16 and 17.

The walkout, now sanctioned by the union's Industrial Action Committee, threatens to paralyse councils across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Joining Unison members – who voted 55% to 45% in favour of the action - will be members of Unite, the nation's third-largest force in local government.

They are calling for a better pay settlement for the current year than Local Government Employers' "final" offer of 2.45%, or 3.3% for the very lowest paid.

The union's joint demands had been for a 6% rise.

Last month members of the GMB, which has around 300,000 local government members, accepted the offer as the best that could be achieved without strike action.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said members were loyal public service workers and the decision to strike had not been taken lightly.

"Years of pay cuts and recent hikes in fuel, food and housing costs has left them with little choice," he said.

"The employers must realise that we mean business.

"They must also understand they can resolve this dispute by coming up with a decent offer."

Local government workers in Scotland are being balloted next month on taking strike action after rejecting a three-year offer worth 2.5% in each year.