Heather Wakefield
UNISON head of local government

Council staff clock up unpaid overtime

Council workers put in seven million days overtime last year for no extra pay or time in lieu, according to a survey carried out by UNISON (21 Sep 05)

The findings, based on interviews with 4,000 UNISON members in local government, showed that one third of staff worked unpaid overtime every week for an average of four and a half hours.

Nearly 60% had considered leaving their jobs in the last six months, with 72% of these people saying they feel undervalued by their employers. Staffing levels have continued to decline, with 20% of members reporting almost daily staff shortages and 30% increased use of temporary staff.

When asked if, in the last twelve months, staff shortages have occurred in their working area or department, eight in ten members said this was the case, compared to 76% in 2001 and 73% in 2000.

The survey also found that nearly 80% of respondents were very worried about government attacks on their pensions.

UNISON head of local government Heather Wakefield said the survey reflected a workforce that was under pressure, undervalued, understaffed and underresourced.

'Each year, our members do more for less and yet face greater insecurity for the future,' she said.

'Pension fears and dissatisfaction with pay are running high, while staff shortages and lack of recognition for the work they do can only add to the serious recruitment and retention problems facing councils.'

She said UNISON was willing to negotiate with the government over pensions but if they did not reach a satisfactory result strike action would be inevitable.