Councillors to vote on ‘fully funded and proper’ pay rise for council workers

Islington councillors are set to vote on whether to support a “fully funded, proper” pay rise for council and school workers.

If passed, Cllr Sara Hyde’s (Lab, Caledonian) motion would commit the Town Hall to supporting calls made by trade unions Unite, the GMB and UNISON to a £10 per hour minimum wage for employees of local authorities and schools, as well as a 10 per cent pay rise from next year.

It emerged in July that one in three councils fear they will run out of funding to provide even their core legal duties by 2022/23, with two thirds believing that they will run out of funds by 2024/25.

As a result, local government workers have endured a 22 per cent pay cut in real terms, according to council figures, with an estimated 876,000 job losses in the sector since 2010.

Cllr Hyde’s motion will say: “Our workers are public service heroes. They keep our streets clean, care for those in need and play a central role in making Islington a fairer place for all.

“Without the professionalism and dedication of our staff, the council services that local people rely on would not be deliverable.

“The local government workforce deserves a proper pay rise, fully funded by central government.”

The Caledonian councillor’s motion would also commit the Town Hall to push the Local Government Association (LGA) to call on central government to fund the pay rise, as well as to write to chancellor of the exchequer Sajid Javid on the issue.

Islington councillors will vote on the motion at the full council meeting on Thursday 26 September.