In order to bring the current dispute to a close the LGA, with cross-party agreement, proposed a two-year deal for both the LGA and unions to consult their members on. The Unison executive rejected the proposal.
Please see here for a letter updating all leaders and chief execs on the latest developments in the ongoing pay dispute. The LGA Lib Dem Resources Lead, Claire Hudson, said this:
“We suggested this proposal to further improve the pay of those on the lowest payscales and provide stability for all employees and their councils, up to April 2016. The National Employers considered this proposal to be as far as could be agreed by member councils given the harsh financial reality in which they are working.
It is therefore very disappointing that despite both GMB and Unite being willing to consult on this basis, Unison have dismissed out of hand the request to talk to their members about this potential way forward. I know that this attitude is not reflected in many of the local unison organisations so I hope that the common sense of their membership will eventually filter its way up to the top.”