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Council and school staff with trade union Unison to strike on September 30 over pay and conditions

Public service Unison hails success of July 10 superstrike in battle against real-terms pay cuts

Council and school staff are set to stage a national walkout on September 30 — as unions consider a second day of co-ordinated action after the “fantastic success” of the July 10 public-sector strike.

Unison members in local government and school support roles in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be striking in an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions. 

The union hopes to force ministers to the negotiating table after 90 per cent of council staff were offered a 1 per cent deal.

Pay in the sector has declined in real terms by as much as 18 per cent since 2010.

Unison head of local government Heather Wakefield said there was “widespread public support” for striking public -ector workers.

“It is a disgrace that so many workers and their families are forced to live on poverty pay,” she said.

“The strike on July 10 sent a strong message to the employers that local government and school support workers are fed up and angry with being exploited.

“Despite four years of vicious government cuts, they continue to educate and support children in schools, maintain crucial local services, keep our communities clean and safe places to live and protect the homeless and vulnerable.”

The news follows the revelation that NHS workers — including midwives for the first time ever — will also stage industrial action in the autumn.

Other unions which represent public-sector workers have yet to decide if they will join Unison members on picket lines in September — but were said last night to be in discussions.

A spokesman for Unite confirmed union officers were “currently discussing with reps and activists the next steps in the dispute.”

The Public and Commercial Services union, which represents thousands of state employees ranging from benefit clerks to museum stewards, and the Fire Brigades’ Union also confirmed they would discuss the possibility of further co-ordinated action with members.

Many councils have also imposed adverse changes to employment conditions — including cutting payments for working unsocial hours. Unions say this has led to a decline in staff morale.

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