Council pay offer to go ahead after strike vote

Surrey County Council said the increase suggested by Unison was "not affordable"

A council leader has confirmed a pay offer to staff will be implemented on 1 April, even though 91% of union members voted for strike action.

Surrey County Council leader Tim Oliver said an increase proposed by Unison was "just not affordable" and there needed to be a recognition of what the authority could afford to pay.

Earlier this month, Unison's regional branch secretary Paul Couchman said the 91% vote for action was "unprecedented".

After Mr Oliver told Tuesday's full council meeting the pay offer would go ahead, Mr Couchman said it was the first the union had heard of it.

Mr Couchman said: "This is the first we have heard.

"If they go ahead they will be breaking our collective agreement.

"They are implementing an increase for the lowest-paid to ensure they are paid above the minimum wage, but they have definitely not told us they are implementing the whole offer."

'Dialogue to continue'

In his leader's statement, Mr Oliver said the offer was for a 9% increase for those on the lowest pay scale, increasing to 6% for those in the middle, and less for those who are at the top of the pay scale.

He said: "I met with the unions not so long ago. I understand that their demand is always going to be for more than we offer, but there has to be a limit in terms of what we can afford.

"Their proposed changes to our offer would cost us something in the region of £15m. That is almost 2% of the council tax.

"We cannot, I’m afraid, continue to increase our staff bill at that level. It is just not affordable."

He said that dialogue with unions would continue, but added: "Increases will kick in with effect from 1st April."

The council later said: “We remain in talks with trade unions regarding a pay settlement. Once agreed, the final settlement will be backdated so that it’s effective from 1st April 2024.”