Public sector unions set new year pay targets

New year's resolutions made by public sector unions include targets of a "grand in the hand" for health staff and a minimum wage of £11,000 for local government workers.

UNISON is calling for a pay rise of £1,000 or 5%, whichever is higher, for 250,000 health workers not covered by pay review bodies, including administrative and ancillary staff, ambulance workers and technical and scientific staff. Also part of the claim are a 35-hour week, an increase in London Weighting to £4,000 and the extension of cost of living supplements to all staff in affected areas.

The three unions representing 1.2 million local government workers (UNISON, T&G and GMB) are calling for a pay rise in April of 6% or £1,750, whichever is greater, with the aim of establishing a minimum wage of £11,017. In submitting the claim, T&G national organiser Jack Dromey said: "Councillors have voted themselves increases of over 60% in the last five months, making the average allowance £12,500 - a full £1,500 more than the minimum wage we seek".

The employers' side have branded the claim "completely unrealistic", arguing that it would add 19% to the bottom of the pay scale and 11.7% on average. Their response to the claim is expected in February following consultation with authorities in England and Wales.