Pay rise for Harrogate council workers 'falls well short' of what they deserve during pandemic, say union bosses

The rise from April 1 was offered alongside an additional day of leave - taking the minimum entitlement from 21 to 22 days per year.

But bosses at Harrogate's Unison branch believe the Local Government Association (LGA) offer to hundreds of council workers "falls well short" of what they deserve.

Branch secretary David Houlgate said: "Council workers are working above and beyond their jobs, putting themselves daily at risk from the coronavirus to keep public services working and our country on track.

"The government should recognise this and fund a substantial additional increase for these committed workers, who have seen their pay drop in real terms by over 20 per cent in recent years."

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The improved increase for council workers was put to unions by the National Joint Council - an LGA body which negotiates pay, terms and conditions for local authorities.

In a statement, the 'National Employers' said it hoped the unions accepted the “final offer” so they could receive a “well-deserved pay rise as soon as practicable."

The employers' original offer of 2 per cent was rejected by the trade unions, who branded the figure "deeply disappointing."

Unions have been campaigning for a 10 per cent pay increase.

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Mr Houlgate said: "We are pleased that there has been an increased national pay offer for council staff but we are very disappointed that it falls well short of our claim.

"We note that the employers are calling on the government to fund an additional pay increase on top of the local government offer.

"Unison supports that call and has offered to write jointly with other council unions, together with the employers, to the government, giving them two weeks to respond.

"If, after either the government has responded, or the two weeks are up, UNISON, along with other unions would then seek to finish the negotiating process for this year."

The government says it is supporting councils during the crisis.

Yesterday, the government announced councils will be allowed to defer £2.6billion in business rates payments to central government - while £850m in social care grants would be paid up front this month.

A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council said: “Being able to defer these payments, which equate to around £8.4million, will allow us to use these funds to provide vital frontline services during this challenging time.”

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter

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