Ceredigion County Council staff have reacted furiously after learning their chief executive is to be awarded a pay rise of 14 per cent.
Welsh council workers have been offered a pay rise of just 1.75 per cent, significantly below the rate of inflation, with the lowest paid grade increased by 2.75 per cent.
UNISON Cymru Wales says years of pay freezes and pay caps driven by Westminster have left local government staff more than 20 per cent poorer than in 2010.
Over the last month, school support staff, carers, refuse workers, cleaners, librarians, highways maintenance workers and many more, have been voting in UNISON’s pay ballot. The union recommended members reject the offer.
Alison Boshier, UNISON branch secretary said,
“Ceredigion council staff were stunned to read about the chief exec’s bumper pay day.
“A 14 per cent pay rise is so offensive when you consider care workers, school support staff, refuse collectors and many others who kept vital services going throughout the pandemic, have been offered a real-terms pay cut.
“The chief executive has been completely insulated against the new National Insurance tax and energy price rises that the rest of us face.
“Only a handful of councillors opposed the chief executive’s pay increase and the other local politicians must reflect on whether they are promoting fairness in Ceredigion.
“The chief executive would do well to follow his predecessor’s example. She showed a unity with the workforce by turning down past increases because she didn’t want her pay to be so far above the pay levels of her staff.
“No doubt this will be foremost in mind as UNISON members consider what steps they take about their own pay offer.”
Notes for editors:
- Local government workers have been waiting for a pay rise, due on 1 April
- The pay deal is for staff working in Wales, England and Northern Ireland. The rates of pay and employment conditions of council workers are negotiated at a UK national level (excluding Scotland).
- From 2010, council workers faced eight years of UK government-imposed pay restraint, with wages either frozen or held to a 1 per cent pay increase. A 2-year deal in 2019/20 delivered a 2 per cent increase for both years.
- The unions submitted a pay claim for 2021 of 10 per cent
Contact
Alastair Gittins, UNISON Cymru Wales press officer on 07816 53 83 97