Union outrage over one per cent pay rise for council employees

While the news has been welcomed by some organisations, trade unions have hit back at an increase they claim will fail to keep up with inflation.

Heather Wakefield, Unison's head of local government, said: "It is outrageous that the vast majority of local government workers have effectively been offered another pay cut."

"Although the long overdue modest rise for the lowest paid workers is welcome, this offer is another slap in the face for local government workers."

Brian Strutton, a national officer at the GMB trade union, said: "Although the long overdue modest rise for the lowest paid workers is welcome, this offer is another slap in the face for local government workers."

"It still leaves the local government workforce as the poor relations of the public sector, and councils can afford more because they are squirrelling away hundreds of millions in reserves."

Both the GNB and Unison have announced plans to consult their members on the changes.

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