Councils join unions in call to end pay freeze

摘要

Councils across England and Wales have joined forces with local government trade unions to push for an end to the sector's three-year pay freeze. The Local Government Association (LGA) last week reiterated its commitment to a progressive discourse with unions over a pay settlement for 2012/13 which recognises the tough financial climate in which authorities are operating, but also accepts the need for staff pay increases. The issue was raised at an LGA members' meeting on 18 October, at which senior council leaders were presented with current and back-dated monthly updates from LGA chief executive, Carolyn Downs. Ms Downs' report for September states she has recently 'put forward arguments to avoid a fourth year of pay freeze in 2013'.