The biggest public sector strikes since the 1979 鈥渨inter of discontent鈥� are to go ahead after local government staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland voted in favour of industrial action last week.
Members of three unions 鈥� Unison, the Transport and General Workers Union and the GMB 鈥� voted to reject a pay offer of 3%, and called for a 6% pay rise or 拢1750. The first national strike since 1989 is now earmarked to take place on 17 July.

The services likely to be affected include housing, planning, social services, home care and environmental health.

Unison national secretary for local government Heather Wakefield said the union鈥檚 members were 鈥渟ick of being treated as the poor relations of the public sector鈥�.

A report by the Greater London Assembly has acknowledged a public sector recruitment crisis in London due to low pay and high living costs.

Source

Housing Today