25.04.13
1% national pay rise for council employees
National Employers has offered a 1% pay increase to council employees from April 1. If agreed with unions, it would be the first national offer since 2009.
The offer would affect over 1 million employees on salaries starting at £12,145 a year, 77% of whom earn less than the median local government salary, but not chief executives, senior officers, teachers or firefighters, who are covered by separate national pay arrangements.
The total increase to the local government pay bill will be £150.35m.
Cllr Sian Timoney, chair of the employers side or the national pay bargaining group for local government, said: “Councils have been consistently clear that our hardworking employees should receive a pay offer this year. This is the best offer possible in light of significant cuts to council funding. It is fair to taxpayers and fair to our employees and recognises the financial pressures they are under.
“However, I am very disappointed that the unions have rejected our repeated attempts to discuss terms and conditions to ensure they are fair and appropriate for councils and their employees. There have been no significant changes to terms and conditions since 1997. Local government needs a modern and reformed employment framework for the future and this will remain a priority objective for the sector.”
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