London weighting dispute back

The local government dispute over London Weighting flared up again last month after the capital's council leaders walked out of pay talks aimed at resolving the long-running dispute.

Local government unions UNISON, T&G AND GMB are claiming an allowance of £4,000 compared to current payments of £1,511 - £2,845.

The unions were "taken by surprise" when the employers refused to refer the dispute to ACAS for binding arbitration. The employers also claimed to have "suspended" the Greater London provincial council, the joint negotiating machinery under which the London Weighting talks were taking place.

David Eggmore, chair of UNISON's London local government committee, said: "By refusing binding arbitration, council leaders have shown that they have no confidence in their own position. They are obviously worried that ACAS will not view their stance favourably."

The three unions have now declared a dispute with London's councils and have referred the matter to the national joint council, which is expected to refer it to ACAS.

London Weighting campaigns in local government and elsewhere were boosted in November by a report from the Warwick Institute for Employment Research proposing an inner London allowance of £4,200.

Strikes by higher education unions have forced some institutions to improve London Weighting.