Thousands of union members across Bolton are gearing up for a campaign for a ‘serious pay settlement.’

This comes with around 6,000 members of Unison who work in local government in Bolton set to hear proposals for the union leadership on how best to go about challenging government ‘pay freezes’ and ‘austerity.’

The care workers, school support staff, social workers, cleaners and many more who make up the union’s membership will now be called to give their views on what kind of pay claim should be made.

Bolton Unison acting branch secretary Jayne Clarke said: “We have seen 12 years of austerity and pay freezes yet the government is simply offering more of the same.

“People are working harder than ever whilst worrying about paying the bills and putting food on the table.

“Working people have simply had enough.

“Bolton Unison is consulting thousands of our members on a proposals for a serious pay settlement to end the erosion of living standards.

“We are looking towards a pay claim that is not only above inflation but also has a focus on improving mileage rates.

“We urge all affected members to respond to our branch consultation.”

Unison members at Royal Bolton Hospital and at the NHS trust have already been balloting for strike action in protest at over pay and conditions.

They were amongst around 250,000 health workers at 250 health trusts around England and Wales voting on strike action, with the ballot set to close this week.

Where local government workers are concerned, Bolton staff are part of a much broader campaign across the country which also includes the Unite and GMB unions.

ALSO READ: 'Last chance saloon' as hospital workers vote on strike action

ALSO READ: Protest calls to deliver on promise for real living wage

Together, they are in the process of consulting their members on a cost of living pay claim for next year.

The final claim will be submitted in January 2023 and will be made on behalf of local authority workers across the UK.

 According to local officials, Bolton Unison members will already have received their consultations by email and have been urged to respond by the deadline of 5pm on Monday December 12.