Unite in Local Government

SQUEEZE ON COUNCIL WORKERS MUST END

GREEN BOOK STRIKE BALLOT NOW OPEN
Votes YES for fair pay today! 

Targeted industrial action ballots over the employers 3.3% pay offer for 2026/27 are now open.

The balloting period is from 16 July to 17 August 2026 for most workplaces.

Voting is by post. If you are expecting a ballot paper but have yet to receive it please talk to your Unite rep or contact your regional office straight away to request a replacement.  Unite is recommending you vote YES to strike. 

Have a question about the ballot? Please download and read our FAQs.

Get the message out! 

Help get the vote out in your workplace. Talk to your workmates about why their vote matters and the importance of standing together in solidarity and unity. 

We've produced a flyer, poster, social graphics and FAQs to help you start a conversation with colleagues. Please scroll down and share widely. If you want a supply of materials please contact Chantal, chantal.chegrinec@unitetheunion.org 

Download and Share

Shareable social squares for Whatsapp, Instagram and Facebook

Contact details for regions balloting: 

1. South East regional office
   Unite the Union, South East Regional Centre,
   Chalvey Road East, Slough, SL1 2L
   Tel: 01753 313 820

2. London and Eastern regional office
   Unite the union
   33-37 Moreland Street, London, EC1V 8BB
   Tel: 020 8800 4281

3. North East, Yorkshire Humber (NEYH)
   Unite the union
   55 Call Lane, Leeds 
   Tel: 0113 236 4830
   E: membership.northwest@unitetheunion.org

4. North West regional office
   Jack Jones House, Unite the union
   2 Churchill Way, Liverpool L3 8EF
   E.membership.northwest@unitetheunion.org

5. South West regional office
   Tony Benn House, Unite the union
   Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6AY
   Tel: 0117 923 0555

6. Wales
   Unite the union
   1 Cathedral Road, Cardiff , Wales, CF11 9SD
    Tel: 02920 39452

Why every vote matters 

Council workers are the backbone of our communities, but they're struggling to pay their bills after 16 years of below-inflation pay rises pushed them into poverty and debt. This year's 3.3% pay offer is another insult and does nothing to restore lost pay. 

Local Government Pay Claim 2026/27 (Green Book)

The national employers' 'full and final' pay offer of 3.3% has been rejected outright by Unite's NISC (National Industrial Sector Committee). We will be announcing next steps soon, including targeted strike ballots over the summer. Please check back for regular updates and read the press release here.

Reminder: The joint union pay claim for 2026-27 calls for an increase of at least £3,000 or 10% (whichever is greater) for all staff, as well as a minimum hourly rate of £15. The employers 3.3% falls well below this and is yet another real terms pay cut.
Made worse by the employers refusal to meaningfully negotiate on all aspects of the claim. 

"This is a disappointing offer which falls far short of our pay claim and is yet another real terms pay cut.

Clare Keogh, Unite national officer 

Unite, fighting for your JOBS, PAY, CONDITIONS in local government. Join us 

Red book: update

Strikes are on at six, targeted councils in June: Barbergh & Midsuffolk, Bristol, Leeds, Newham, Southwark and Stock-on-Trent, after Unite members rejected the 2025 pay offer of 3.2%.

Strike days: 7,18,23 and 24 June! Show your solidarity with striking members by sharing a supportive message on Unite's Facebook

Help us get the message out by following the strike on Unite's social media channels, and sharing our posts. Your support means the world to striking workers. 

Get the facts:  

1.  Council workers’ pay has fallen by 25% in real terms since 2010.
2. Low pay undermines retention, recruitment and staff morale.
3. Your living standards have taken a significant hit due to 15 years of pay cuts and squeezes, jobs losses and chronic underfunding. Enough is enough.
4. Council workers NEED a higher pay rise now to start restoring their battered wages.