COUNCIL and school staff should strike to secure an improved pay offer from their employers, Unison general secretary Andrea Egan said today.

She told the union’s local government conference that strikes were a “leverage” for an improved offer to ensure their pay doesn’t fall further behind rising living costs.

Potential walkouts could affect schools, social care, children’s services, waste collection, libraries and housing services.

Addressing delegates in Brighton, she said: “Strike action is our leverage. 

“It’s our way of saying to employers we won’t just accept crumbs from the table. 

“We won’t accept lower wages, and we won’t accept real-terms pay cuts.”

Unison, GMB and Unite have formally rejected a 3.3 per cent offer for 2026-27 from the National Employers (NJC) for local government services. 

They described it as a real-terms pay cut and Unison is set to ballot up to 200,000 council and school staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland next month over the NJC’s refusal to improve it.

Ms Egan also urged the Westminster government to improve council and school financial settlements to help boost services and pay following more than a decade of austerity.

Research by the union suggested that local government has a shortfall of around £4 billion just to maintain current services, while provision lost during years of budget cuts, including Sure Start and youth centres, was a long way from being restored.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Ms Egan said: “Local government and school staff keep communities going. They support vulnerable families, care for older people, help children to thrive and deliver countless ‘invisible’ services millions rely upon.

“Staff deserve far more during the continued cost-of-living crisis. That’s why Unison is doing everything possible to secure a strong turnout in next month’s ballot and to demand better pay.

“Strikes are always a last resort, but workers must be prepared to use every option available if employers believe dedicated council and school staff are worth just 3.3 per cent, after years of cuts.

“Staff are fed up of being expected to do more for less in their pay packets. They deserve fair wages and properly funded services that restore the communities they serve.”