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Widespread strike action in local government appears to have been averted after two of the three unions representing council employees accepted a 3.3% pay rise.The increase for 2026/27, initially rejected by all three unions, was accepted ‘with reluctance' by GMB and Unison at the start of this week after ballots showed little enthusiasm for industrial action among their members.But while Unite accepted that the rise would be implemented under National Joint Council (NJC) rules, it is continuing to talk to local officials about possible industrial action later this year.Clare Keogh, Unite's national officer for local government, told The MJ the union received mandates for strike action in seven out of 21 areas balloted, with a further ballot due to close on 10 September.There had been ‘no meaningful negotiations' with employers over demands such as a minimum pay rate of £15 per hour or reductions in the working week, she said.Local branches might also wish to push for local pay variations.‘It's something that Unite has been successful in pursuing for a number of years,' Keogh added.The increase of 3.3% is slightly ahead of the consumer prices index (CPI), which rose by 2.9% during the year to July. But forecasts suggest that inflation may reach as much as 3.5% by the end of this year.It comes after firefighters struck a 3.8% deal last month.Under NJC rules, a collective agreement only has to be reached with two thirds of negotiators on the employer and trade union sides for council staff. This is the sixth successive year that Unite has not put its name to the agreement.Unison balloted about 200,000 members at councils and schools.‘Settling this year's dispute doesn't make the problem of low pay in local government disappear,' said Mike Short, the union's head of local government.‘Workers have seen the value of their wages severely eroded after years of increases failing to keep pace with the cost of living.‘Unison will continue pressing for the substantial improvements that council and school staff deserve.'A GMB spokesperson said it accepted the increase as it was clear employers were unwilling to negotiate further.‘Whilst clearly not enough for our local government members, who have suffered real terms pay cuts for the majority of the past ten years, it does represent a 3.3% pay rise, which they will now get in their pay packets and as quickly as possible.'Chief executives and chief officers will also receive the 3.3% rise, the latter having reached an agreement in June.One chief executive said: ‘I think it's a reasonable offer under the circumstances.'Tracey Lee, chair of the Association of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers welcomed the fact that, in percentage terms, the offer for chiefs matched the top point on the main NJC scale.‘We also welcome the recognition in the employers' letter of the ongoing support to communities that chief executives provide,' she added.

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Unions accept 3.3% pay offer

By Neil Merrick | 25 August 2026

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