In late January, unions lodged a claim for a £3,000 pay rise for local government and school support staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 2025-26.
UNISON, the GMB and Unite said council workers were “overdue” a significant pay rise, having previously “missed out on the higher wage settlements” awarded to other public sector staff, such as NHS workers.
‘We deserve compensation’
But what do social workers think of the 2025-26 pay claim?
Out of 1,839 respondents in a Community Care poll, the majority (63%) said the pay rise was “the least” they deserved “to compensate for years of pay cuts”.
Of the rest, 18% believed it was “a recipe for protracted pay talks that would achieve very little”, a reference to the experience of the last two years when unions have settled for employers’ initial offer after several months of negotiations.
Meanwhile, 19% said the £3,000 claim would be “good in an ideal world”, but was “unrealistic”.
Discussions in the article’s comment section revealed divided opinions: some doubted unions’ ability to deliver, while others argued it was up to members to take action to achieve a decent increase.
‘Having three unions is counter-productive’
One reader said it was “counterproductive” for staff to be represented by three separate unions.
“They can’t agree, and by the time they ballot people, half the year has passed,” they said.
“I have voted to strike every single time, but the process drags on so long that it plays into the hands of the employer.”
Glen echoed this view, calling for a union specifically for children’s and adults’ services.
“The three public sector unions are too big with too many members from disparate roles and services,” he said. “Until there is a union dealing solely with adults’ and children’s services, nothing can or will change.”
‘Ineffective pay negotiations’
Others criticised unions’ negotiating processes.
“As usual, pointless ballots will be sent out at significant cost to the members and all for the initial offer to be accepted,” said Simone Davis.
“Meanwhile, the value of the pay rise [will be] reduced in value in the several months since it was offered due to inflation.”
Another practitioner, James, attributed this to a lack of strategy and leadership in managing negotiations.
“The unions serve a general purpose and that’s not to be entirely dismissed but anyone arguing that their pay negotiations are effective is living on another planet,” added Johnny Ross.
He added it would be another year in which the unions accepted employers’ initial offer “without negotiating any changes at all”.
‘Social workers don’t use their vote’
Photo: New Africa/Adobe Stock
However, a number of social workers argued that union strength depended on active members.
“The unions are only as good as [their] members and if we don’t vote for strike action then their hands are tied and they have less power to negotiate,” said Cath Howard.
“We would have even worse conditions and pay if not for the unions. They play an important role – don’t underestimate that.”
Jason said that while social workers are dedicated to their roles, they aren’t very active as union members.
“We don’t use our vote, ignore the ballot, then get [angry] that what we think we are entitled to and deserve isn’t given to us. We then blame the union, our employers, and the government rather than take responsibility for the outcome. This is just a fact. It may be uncomfortable, but it is.”
Abdul added: “Change can start with social workers owning their part rather than blaming [the union]. I’d warrant in any given team 95% don’t know who their shop steward is and 99% have never attended a union meeting.”
‘Give unions a strong mandate’
Sam argued that members who were not active and non-members had lost “the privilege” to comment on this year’s pay claim.
“If social workers can’t be bothered to vote on the ballot then of course union negotiators are going to be hamstrung. Give them a strong mandate and if they fail on that, then legitimately criticise them,” he added.
“Moaning from the sidelines is the disease that is rotting social work and not just on this issue.”
Alison Johnson, who some years ago went on a strike for pay, said she was discouraged by the low turnout.
“Most of my team […] did not want to lose a day’s pay. It was frustrating but, as a result, I would be reluctant to take action again, because there is no collective will for it. There is now a minority in my team even in a union.”
Councils unable to meet pay demands
One practitioner, Doris, said councils wouldn’t be able to meet pay demands, so she would accept whichever offer was put forward.
“A decent pay rise that we all deserve would bankrupt most, if not all, councils. Because of this, we are in a terrible negotiating position.
“The general public isn’t really that bothered if we go on strike. Maybe refuse collection but certainly not social work. [We aren’t] visible. Because of this, I will be voting to accept the first offer put forward at the first opportunity.”
What are your thoughts on the 2025-26 pay negotiations?
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I was just reading Scotland have just had there offer 3% on every pay scale, bear in mind Scotland have had the same deal as us the last few years and it’s the same unions negotiating.
What’s the point? People don’t even bother to turn up to vote or speak up for their rights and their own interests. This has been going on for years—and what has been achieved? Look at the NHS. That’s how it works. Looks like Social workers don’t care about money, so why would the government think there’s a need for a bigger pay rise? Meanwhile- Social Work England proposes 33% rise in fees this year 😀 We are total losers.
Isn’t it interesting that last year the unions put in a truly unrealistic pay claim. In the end, and after many months delay, they settled for less than a quarter of the original ask. Surely therefore the argument for a similar size ask this year, could be made, all the underlying reasons still exist. yet with a change of government, to maybe one with a more sympathetic view, the ask gets significantly reduced…
I think we should model our regulator and ask for a 33% pay increase 🙂
The only way that we are going to get anywhere near what we deserve is go and strike and to stick together in the same way as other professionals have.
I am sick and tired of hearing that NHS staff has done this and that NHS staff has done that, especially when everyone else is and especially ourselves keep getting F.A. each year
It is as if no one else has done anything these last few years and we are having to take on 2nd and even 3rd jobs to make ends meet and both our main political parties as well as our unions are tone deaf at what we are having to do.
I have stopped paying my stubs to the union years ago because I don’t see the point in throwing my good money away in return for nothing.
We need 1 Union to represent Social Workers and agree to strike as/if needed.
The money is there, somehow it’s always found, just needs asking for in the right way i.e a willingness to take action and strike.People say if we went on strike no one would notice, I disagree if we got the publicity as with other strikes, a lot of people would take notice. We have a workforce that is stretched and often exhausted, people often just see the cash offer and agree to accept. There is no collective approach. We can’t blame the unions how ballots are run, they have a legal framework to follow which with successive government’s have become more restrictive, with ever more hurdles to jump.
The argument that there isn’t the money is nonsense. The way budgets are set is more about politics than finance.
I always vote to strike, I also encourage new workers to join a union the choice is theirs. Those who are not in a union are often the ones who say they are a waste of money. Interestingly they don’t turn the pay rise down that the unions negotiate on. As some have said a union is only as strong as it’s members and their willingness to take action.
What those social workers whose supposed dedication to their clients is so deep rooted that they could never ever strike under any circumstances need to understand is that often it is not the strike itself that gets negotiations going but the threat of one. But to take such a threat seriously employers have to believe that a workforce would actually take action. There is zero chance of our employers taking us seriously because they know from years of watching us and listening to us that we are blancmange to their chocolate pound cake. So don’t have Strike as your scare prompt but ask yourself how you can ensure that your personal self interest and bank balance can be bettered. Given you can’t do anything as an individual to improve your lot the answer, even for the busiest and most stressed social worker, should be obvious.
Funny that agency staff make up for such a huge chunk of the workforce and, when I look, a SW in London is still on the same rate as they were 5 years ago. So, how are locum staff going to be compensated for years of being underpaid? That is the question.
Agency staff are in part responsible for suppression of wages in social work. Employers are relaxed about vacancy rates because they think they can get agency workers to cover for short periods while in reality leaving a permanent position vacant. So no that isn’t the question. And if the game is pitching agency workers interests against those of permanent staff than the outcome is obvious, neither will get what they think they are worth.
Eulogise unions all you want but as a woman who stopped her membership of UNISON I have a different view. I don’t believe that any UK Union now represents the interests of women nor protects us against our employers. Along with countless women I have been called a bigot, transphobic, fascist, racist ‘misogynist’!, Tory and various profanities for my belief in womens right to have female only spaces. I have been bullied by my former shop steward too for what is actually a legally protected belief. Don’t believe me? Look at how a nurse today is being harassed, bullied and threatened with the sack by her employer while her Union sides with the employer against her. When did it become acceptable for a Union to ally with an employer against one it’s members? How is supporting the possible sacking of a Union member protecting workers rights? Still don’t believe me? Look at the treatment of the 8 Durham nurses by their employer with the full compliance of their now former Union. Is it any wonder that they have now set up their own Independent Union? Still unconvinced? Look at the treatment of Rachel Meade. Jim Greer explains her vilification better than I ever could. As a woman my dignity and respectful treatment is as important as any pay award. Actually not everything is about money so I’ll settle for dignity every time.
Public Finance have reported an £8bn funding gap for councils by 28-29 but local authorities are running out of money now, with more applying for Section 114 bankruptcy notices and others using one-off reserve funding to pay for essential services, so it is clear that there is no money, and think again if you believe a Labour Govt will save the day because they won’t.
This pay round will play out as usual with employers reminding the Unions of the lack of funding and the Unions sticking with their usual playbook of pointless and expensive ballots all of which will result in accepting the offer by November, when the backdated pay award will be eroded vastly by inflation.
The negotiation may end up as you suggest but have you asked yourself what councils have “no money”. Have you asked why councils set up side businesses of dubious provenance and invest vast sums when no returns are likely? Have you asked yourself why councils spend obscene amounts on lawyer fees defending cases that they know they are unlikely to win? Have you asked yourself why renumeration of council officers is justified as “the going market rate”? Have you asked yourself why councils commission consultancy firms with virtually no oversight to undertake “evaluation and review” of services that their own staff can conduct with equal if not better competence for no fee? Have you asked yourself why councils spend so much of their revenue on obstructing freedom of information requests? I could go on. That councils are profligate with council tax monies is a given because council leaders are not accountable to the public. Fines are paid from the public purse and on those rare occasions when officers or councillor are bang to rights their severance pay runs to several thousands and after a brief sojourn they turn up elsewhere with equally generous remuneration from the public purse. I have no sympathy for any council issuing bankruptcy notices. The mess is of their own making not just supposed shortfalls in Government funding. I was an elected local councillor once and if confidentiality clauses didn’t prevent me I would say more. Pleading poverty while sharing bonuses and gifts amongst pals is the least of it.
I agree with everyone that says that the unions are pointless!!! they drag a process out at massive cost to its members and then we get what was offered at the start of the year anyway!!! Its high time they do one and only be allowed to deal with individual member issues.
Pay rises are nice and welcomed at all times but the reality is there are no funds there to cover the cost of what they’re demanding. Councils are already restructuring so where is this money coming from???
UK Government can offer NHS staff a massive increase but leave the rest of public sector to starve!
Local councils have their own money businesses residents landlords pay local councils this is HMO Licenses and other charges council tax council Housing rents for council managed properties and it is local councils to blame for staff pay as they pay senior chief executive and other senior staff such as directors managers to much and they must cut senior staff pay