More than 4,000 Doncaster Council workers will receive a 2.5% pay rise.
From 1 April, staff will have their pay increased by 2.5%, reversing a cut that took place when the council was Conservative led.
A meeting with Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster and leader of City of Doncaster Council, and trade union GMB, which represents the workers, resulted in an agreement to restore pay through a funding package as part of budget proposals.
These will be published on 3 February, before being considered by the cabinet on 11 February. Councillors will vote on the pay restoration plans at the next council budget meeting on 26 February.
Mayor Jones said: “I recognise that our staff are the most important asset to our council. They work day in and day out to serve our local people and communities. I understand that pay, retention and recruitment are vital to make us an employer of choice. It is my intention to recommend pay restoration to full council. This will include the full reversal of the 2012 pay cut and some of the additional terms and conditions that were changed.
“I made the commitment to regularly keep pay restoration under review, reviewing options alongside consideration of all budget pressures. I do consider the time is right, given our budget plans and the first multi-year local government financial settlement for over a decade that gives us certainty of funding for the medium-term. Implementing pay restoration will tackle some of our current recruitment and retention challenges, alongside reducing the need for agency staff to cover vacant posts.”
Sarah Barnes, organiser at GMB, added: “This announcement is a step in the right direction. This is progress, and we’ll be going over the proposal to make sure this restoration is delivered properly and without delay. Our members have waited far too long for fairness. GMB will keep members updated as the budget meeting approaches.”
