Is unions’ 2024-25 pay claim for social workers up to scrat

Unions have once again begun pay negotiations for council staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including social workers.

For 2024-25, UNISON, GMB and Unite are seeking a £3,000 or 10% pay rise – whichever is higher for the person concerned.

And as most social workers earn over £30,000, their pay rise would be 10% under the unions’ proposal.

The claim goes beyond the current rate of inflation, which was 4% in the year to January 2024, according to the government’s preferred consumer prices index (CPI) measure.

This is to address historic real-terms pay cuts, including what unions claim to be a 31% drop in social work salary rates since 2010, and to ensure staff don’t leave to “find better-paid work elsewhere”.

But does the current claim match practitioners’ expectations, despite it being above inflation rates?

Practitioners’ desired pay rise for 2024-25

A recent Community Care poll that amassed over a thousand votes found that most social workers (53%) opted for a rise that was below what the unions asked for.

One-third (33%) sought a pay rise of over 11%, and only 14% requested a hike equivalent to the claim, at 9-11%.

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The rest showed preference for lower rises, with 13% opting for a 7-9% raise, almost a quarter (22%) going for 5-7%, 15% preferring a 3-5% rise and 2% going for just 1-3%.

Declining belief in unions

Readers’ responses, in comments on social media and under the related article, depict a mood of pessimism among social workers about the prospects for the kind of rise sought by unions.

“They will only take the same as last year and take months to muddle over it,” said Dave Jones.

His comment reflects the fact that, last year, unions accepted employers’ original offer of a £1,925 rise having gained nothing extra from an eight-month dispute.

“Not holding out for a good deal,” added Nick Mapson.

On Facebook, a comment by social worker Chantelle echoed those of her colleagues.

“Like that would ever get agreed,” she said of the 10% claim.

However, Unite national officer Claire Keogh said that employers needed to recognise the “growing anger among local government workers” related to years of real-term pay cuts and their treatment during pay negotiations.

“Many union members are reporting that they cannot pay their bills, they are struggling to pay their mortgage or rent costs and some have even had to rely on food banks,” she added.

“We will not stand by and allow this to happen.”

Do you think the unions’ 10% proposal for 2024-25 will be accepted?

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If so, email our community journalist, Anastasia Koutsounia, at anastasia.koutsounia@markallengroup.com