Fair Pay for Education Workers

UNISON, alongside other unions representing 750,000 council and school support staff across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have criticised the 1.5% pay offer made by the Local Government Association.

UNISON, along with other unions, submitted a joint pay claim to the local government employers in February for a 10% pay rise. This would be payable from 1 April 2021.

Our joint claim represents a decent wage rise that’s both necessary to put a stop to poverty pay in local government and schools, and recognises the crucial role played by staff during the pandemic.

The response from the Local Government Association represents a disappointing offer, especially after a year in which school and council staff have done so much to help local communities gripped by the pandemic.

UNISON will now discuss the offer with our UK wide Local Government Committee before formally responding. We are calling on employers to think again, and come back and negotiate an offer that better reflects the worth and value of the dedicated school and council workforce.