Council and school workers in London have been offered a real terms pay cut by employers this year.
With inflation currently at around 3%, this year’s offer of a 1.75% pay rise is in fact a real terms pay cut. Years of similar low offers means that pay for local government and school support staff has dropped by a quarter in real terms since 2010.
As a result, UNISON is asking members to vote Yes to strike action to help secure the pay rise that you deserve.
You should receive your ballot paper by post by Tuesday 14 December. If your ballot hasn’t arrived by then, or you’ve lost/damaged it and need a replacement, you can order a new one online via MyUnison, or contact our hotline on 0800 0 857 857. If you’ve got any more questions about the process, we’ve put together a brief set of FAQs here.
We know going on strike is not something you do lightly. Your job is incredibly important, and people rely on you. But your employer has made you, and other council and school workers, an unfair offer.
Unless we say ‘enough!’, your pay will fall further, and those holding the purse strings will get away with it. It’s time to take action.
How else can I support a Yes vote in the ballot?
- Let your colleagues know – Encourage your colleagues to vote in the ballot. If they’re not UNISON members, they can join by 3 January and still take part in the vote.
- Download and print off UNISON leaflets and posters – Official campaign materials for the NJC pay ballot can be found here
- Spread the word on Social Media – Use the hashtags #VoteYes and #EnoughIsEnough. You can find UNISON videos and graphics for social media here
