Occupational therapy staff in local government – vote ‘ yes ’ to strike action
UNISON
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Occupational therapy staff in local government – vote ‘ yes ’ to strike action
UNISON has been campaigning for a decent pay rise for council and school workers , including occupational therapy staff employed by local authorities . We called for a pay increase of inflation plus 2 % – based on the Treasury ’ s annual forecast for RPI for 2023 . This would amount to 12.7 %.
However , the local government employers have responded with an offer of a flat rate increase of £ 1,925 ( with less for part-time and termtime workers and more for those with London weighting ). In a cost-of-living crisis this simply isn ’ t good enough .
So , UNISON is putting it to the members , including members like you through BAOT / RCOT . Occupational therapy staff working in local authorities are currently being balloted alongside your council worker colleagues to ask if you wish to take industrial action over pay .
Ballot papers were posted out from Tuesday 23 May in England and Wales and need to reach us by the deadline of Tuesday 4 July , with the ballot in Northern Ireland opening in August .
Taking action is a big step and may feel overwhelming when you have colleagues and service users who rely on you . It may even feel that it ’ s something other sectors undertake but not you .
But over the past 12 years , council and school staff have lost on average 25 % from the value of your pay when measured against the Retail Price Index ( RPI ) measure of inflation since 2010 .
Prices and bills are reaching new highs every day and every pound in your pay packet really counts . And we know that action works – we saw this with occupational therapists working in the NHS , where strikes forced the government to change their tune and raise NHS pay .
Taking action will send a clear message to employers that you need a better pay rise that will actually help during the cost-of-living crisis . You deliver a vital public service that helps everyone in your community – you deserve fair pay for the important work that you do .
So , for occupational therapy staff in local government , vote ‘ yes ’. That ’ s the most important
12 OTnews June 2023