Trade union Unison has accused councils of using scare tactics in a bid to derail next week's local government strike. The union said several councils have sent letters to staff warning they could lose pay and have their pension service broken if they go out on strike. More than 600,000 local government workers are expected to walk out on 16 and 17 July after rejecting a pay offer of 2.45%. ‘Strike action is always a last resort and sending out intimidating letters to local government staff will not help solve this dispute,' said Unison's head of local government, Heather Wakefield. Unison members lobbied delegates last week at the LGA conference over their demands for a 6% pay rise or 50p an hour, whichever is the greater. The union has also called on MPs to support their campaign. ‘This is not a case of intimidation, but of ensuring that staff know their rights during a strike and also their responsibilities to the local people they serve,' said a Local Government Employers spokesman. For a video interview with Heather Wakefield, see here.