Dudley Council’s leader has called on all sides in the local authority pay dispute to get around the table and do a deal as unions have urged members to reject a ‘disappointing’ offer.

Unions for council staff had argued they should be paid £3k more a year and get an extra day of annual leave, among other measures.

The National Employers Organisation for Local Government Services rejected the claim saying it was unaffordable for many councils and made an alternative offer of £1,290 per employee plus 2.5 extra on all allowances. Unite and Unison have both urged their members to reject the offer while the GMB described it as ‘disappointing’.

Dudley Council has around 10,000 employees represented mainly by the Unite, GMB and Unison trade unions. Local authority pay is negotiated nationally and individual councils have no say in the final deal. Cllr Patrick Harley, Dudley’s Conservative leader, said:

“We have got a brilliant relationship with the unions, our relationship is first class, we know how to treat our staff. Industrial action is in nobody’s interest, we are a long way from that in Dudley.”

Unions had put in a claim for a ten percent or £3,000 increase (whichever is greater) plus other measures including a two-hour cut in the working week, an extra day of annual leave and a move towards a minimum rate of £15 per hour within two years. Unison head of local government, Mike Short, said:

“The offer is disappointing and falls short of the level council and school workers deserve. Staff have seen the value of their pay plummet, while often being asked to do even more.

"They provide vital services to their communities by supporting the most vulnerable, educating children and keeping people safe.”

While individual councils can do little to influence the negotiations they have to pay the bill when a settlement is reached. Cllr Harley added:

“Every time we increase salaries it has an impact, extremely high pay increases cost us dearly and we have to eat into reserves. It is down to the government, the Local Government Association and the unions to get round the table and thrash out a deal.”

Dudley is currently battling tough financial conditions and looking for millions of pounds of savings over the next three years.

The council has budgeted for a four percent rise in staff pay this year and two percent thereafter. An increase of one percent above budgeted figures would add £1.3m to the bill each year.