Suffolk school and council workers voting on strike action amid pay dispute

If the workers vote to strike, walkouts could begin as soon as November

Author: Alan Jones, PAPublished 13th Sep 2023
Last updated 13th Sep 2023

Hundreds of school and council workers across Suffolk are joining more than 50,000 in the country who are voting on strike action in a dispute over pay.

Ballots will take place among GMB members at almost 3,000 schools and local authorities across England and Wales.

School workers including teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors, caretakers and administrative staff and council workers including social workers, refuse collectors, grounds staff and care workers will take part the ballot which closes on October 24.

The workers have rejected a pay offer for this year.

The GMB said that if the workers vote to strike, walkouts at schools and councils across England and Wales could begin as soon as November 9.

Sharon Wilde, GMB national officer, said: "School staff, refuse collectors and council and town hall workers are the hidden glue that keeps our society together.

"They help our children learn, they look after our most vulnerable residents, they clean our streets, and they keep us all safe.

"They deserve proper value for the work they do...

"It's time they were given the proper pay rise they need."

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