COUNCIL and school staff in Wales, England, and Northern Ireland are to be balloted for industrial action over an “inadequate” pay offer.

Unison said an overwhelming majority of its 400,000 members who took part in a month-long consultation exercise voted to reject the 1.75 per cent offer .

The union said the proposed deal fell well short of the 10 per cent claim put forward with the GMB and Unite.

Unison members will now be asked to back industrial action in support of the union’s campaign for better pay.

Unison’s deputy head of local government Mike Short said: “Council and school workers have made clear the strength of feeling about their pay.

“They’ve been the unsung heroes of the pandemic, working tirelessly and often at risk to their own health to serve their communities.

“Staff carried on working throughout successive lockdowns, keeping people’s neighbourhoods clean and safe, ensuring schools remained open and looking after the most vulnerable.

“But council and school employees have also seen the value of their pay reduced by a quarter since 2010. The recent hike in the cost of living means their wages are falling further and further behind.

“An offer of just 1.75 per cent is totally inadequate for workers who’re already among the lowest paid in the country. Their efforts and sacrifices should be better recognised and rewarded.”

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