Local government workers' pay freeze extended

A pay freeze for council workers has been extended for yet another year.

The employers’ Local Government Association plans to keep pay frozen into 2013 for 1.6 million workers in England and Wales.

This will mean workers have suffered a 15 percent cut in real terms over the past three years. Wages for many have fallen to levels last seen in the 1990s.

Unions will meet this week to discuss the issue. The GMB union said there could be industrial action.

Scottish local government employers Cosla also imposed a pay freeze. The GMB plans to consult for three months over what action to take.

Swindon

Around 40 trade unionists rallied outside Swindon council last week as it voted to cut the shared job of two union reps.

Bob Cretchley and Karla Bradford were elected by Unison members. They are the only paid reps at the council.

Union members from across the south west came to support the lobby. The union said it would challenge the end to their facility time “by industrial action if necessary”.