Oxfordshire is due to be hit by a national one-day council workers' strike next week -- and more could follow.
The three local government unions -- Unison, TGWU and the GMB -- have obtained majorities for strike action in national ballots.
Local authority employers have offered a three per cent pay rise, but the unions have rejected it and demanded a six per cent rise.
Next Wednesday, July 17, there will be 5,500 striking staff from both city and county councils, including cleaners, school meals staff, binmen, social workers, and housing benefit employees.
Martin Gregory, branch secretary of Oxford City Council's branch of Unison, said: "Council workers have become the poor relations of public services after a run of low pay settlements. This year, we are determined to catch up lost ground."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article