Council workers and school support staff in line for 2% pay rise

About 1.4 million council workers and school support workers are set to receive a 2% pay rise following a consultation with staff.

Two of the three unions involved have accepted the offer, which will give some lower-paid employees a wage rise of up to 16% over two years.

Unison and the GMB, the two biggest unions, accepted the offer, which will be followed by a further 2% in April 2019 for staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Unison’s head of local government Heather Wakefield said: “Years of wage freezes have left hardworking council workers and school support staff struggling to make ends meet.

“It’s important that employees can now get the wage rise in their pay packets as soon as possible.”

Unite rejected the deal but said it has recognised the collective majority decision of the other unions.

Sian Timoney, who chairs the national employers’ side, said: “We are pleased to have reached a deal and that hardworking employees will soon receive their pay award.”

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