Hundreds of staff at Reigate and Banstead Council including planning officers, parking attendants, administrators, refuse workers, cleaners, and security officers will begin strike action this week in a dispute over pay, says UNISON.
Workers will stage a 48-hour walkout tomorrow (18) and Wednesday (19) after being offered an increase of just 1.3% by the local authority this year. Staff on lower grades will receive an additional £200, but with the rate of inflation at nearly 10%, this amounts to a significant pay cut for everyone at the council, the union says.
In 2022, UNISON has negotiated significantly better pay awards with neighbouring local authorities. Staff on the lowest grades at nearby Surrey County Council received an almost 8% rise, with workers getting progressively less the more they earn. For staff on nationally negotiated pay in local government, a flat rate offer of £1,925 (worth between 4% and 10.5% depending on earnings) has been made.
Reigate and Banstead Council can avoid disruption to community services by giving workers the proper pay rise they deserve, UNISON says.
UNISON South East regional organiser Jenny Mason said: “This pay offer is nowhere near enough. Staff feel insulted.
“Many employees are using foodbanks and their wages have to be topped up with benefits. They’ve been forced to stretch their pay to make ends meet even at the best of times. But this piffling pay rise – in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis – will push many into genuine hardship and poverty.
“Communities will also suffer with declining services as staff vote with their feet and join other local councils offering better pay.
“It’s still not too late for the employer to do the right thing and make a decent offer to these dedicated public servants. The government can also play its part by providing the necessary funds to protect local services.”
Notes to editors:
– There will be picket lines on Tuesday 18 October at Reigate Town Hall from 7am, and Earlswood depot from 5am. The best time for photos will be at 9.30am at the town hall, or 7.30am at the depot.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
