The results on the disaggregated strike ballot to fight for a better pay deal for 2023/24 are as follows:-
Sandwell MBC – 69% of UNISON members voted for strike action on a 37% turnout.
Sandwell Childrens Trust – 79% of UNISON members voted for strike action on a 46.5% turnout.
Sandwell Leisure Trust – 87% of UNISON members voted for strike action on a 47% turnout.
The average vote across England and Wales was 75% for strike action on an average turnout of 31.4%. In total 4,342 employers were balloted. In 713 employers UNISON passed the 50% threshold with a mandate for strike action. However, these were mainly small employers which did include a number of Sandwell schools.
Unite’s ballot closed end of July. Unite have secured a mandate for action in a small number of local authorities (this does not include Sandwell). The GMB do not begin their strike ballot until September.
Given the small number of places passing the ballot thresholds UNISON is arguing to accept the pay offer as soon as possible. A full meeting of the trade union side of the NJC committee has been arranged for Tuesday 19 September. Please check this website on 20 September for a further update.