UNISON is urging social workers and council staff to vote ‘yes’ to industrial action over an ongoing pay dispute in latest ballot.
Walkouts would involve an estimated 40,000 social workers up and down the UK this summer.
Unions, including Unite and GMB, are asking their members to support the proposed strike against the employers’ offer of a £1,925 rise for social workers outside of London, £2,226 for staff in outer London and £2,352 for individuals in central London (pro-rated for part-time workers).
Higher-paid council workers would get a 3.88% rise.
The unions are asking for a 12.7% rise in order to stay in line with inflation, having rejected employers’ offer in consultative ballots that closed last month.
UNISON has sent its members voting papers which they have until July 4 to return.
It said that “taking action [was] a big step and may feel overwhelming when you have colleagues and service users who rely on you”.
However, the union added, “Taking action will send a clear message to employers that you need a better pay rise that will actually help during the cost-of-living crisis.”
A 50% turnout is needed for industrial action to be given the go-ahead.
Despite these calls for better pay, employers have stated that this is their “full and final” offer.
The chair of the National Employers for local government services, Sian Goding, said at the time: “The National Employers are acutely aware of the additional pressure this year’s offer will place on already hard-pressed council finances, as it would need to be paid for from existing budgets. However, they believe their offer is fair to employees, given the wider economic backdrop.”
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