The GMB union has formally rejected a 3.2% pay rise offer for school support staff, calling it a “disgrace” and a “real-terms pay cut” compared to the 4% rise granted to teachers.
Following a ballot of 150,000 members, 77% voted against the Local Government Association’s (LGA) proposed increase. The union said the deal demonstrates “utter contempt” for frontline education and council workers who continue to face increasing workloads with limited resources.
Pay Disparity Raises Tensions
While the proposed 3.2% rise applies to council workers and school support staff, including teaching assistants, administrative workers, and caretakers, it falls short of teacher pay increases announced earlier this year. Starting salaries for support staff remain at £23,656, while teachers on the lowest pay band are set to earn just under £33,000 by 2025–26.
Kevin Brandstatter, GMB’s national officer, criticised the pay offer, stating:
“Offering teachers 4 per cent and badly paid school support staff and other council workers just 3.2 per cent is a disgrace. The LGA has shown complete and utter contempt for hardworking public servants doing their best to deliver services despite insufficient staff or resources.”
The union warned that the below-inflation offer represents a step back for staff who are already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
School Budgets Under Pressure
The LGA defended its offer in April, arguing it was “fair to employees” while acknowledging the financial strain on local authorities. Employers said the lowest-paid workers would have seen their pay increase by over £6,000 since April 2021 under the proposed settlement.
However, the offer falls below the 3.7% wage growth forecasted by the Office for Budget Responsibility this year and has sparked fears of wider industrial action.
Many schools had already budgeted for a 3.2% increase, and any higher settlement could place additional pressure on their finances, potentially impacting staffing and service delivery.
Unions Demand More
GMB, Unite (which has also rejected the offer), and Unison are calling for a flat rate pay rise of £3,000 across all pay points, as well as:
- A minimum pay rate of £15 per hour
- An extra day of annual leave
- A two-hour reduction in the working week with no loss of pay
- The right for school staff to take one day of annual leave during term time
Unison’s committee is due to meet this week to decide its position, with an update expected shortly.
What’s Next?
With GMB and Unite already opposing the offer and Unison’s verdict pending, pressure is building on the LGA to return to the negotiating table. If no resolution is found, the dispute could lead to further disruption across schools and local government services in the coming months.