The GMB and other local government unions have ‘very reluctantly' accepted a 1% increase in pay for 1.6m council workers, amid chaotic local arguments in Leeds over salaries. Unison and the GMB have accused Leeds City Council leader Richard Brett of ‘gross hypocrisy' as the council seeks to slash streetscene workers' pay by £6,000. Members of the unions have agreed to strike action over the cut. The council has responded by commenting on the ‘very disappointing' attitude of the unions in relation to key ‘vital' services – such as emergency flood work and waste collection for the frail – sought to be exempted from the strike action. Desiree Risebury, the GMB's regional organiser for Leeds, said: ‘Senior council officers were on huge salaries and had been granted additional pay rises in the past year of up to £12,000 – almost as much as the basic pay of refuse collectors.' Cllr James Monaghan, executive board member for environmental services, said: "It is very disappointing that they are not prepared to make an exception for vital services, therefore putting the city's most vulnerable at risk.'
