Council Workers at Breaking Point: GMB Union Calls for Decent Pay Rise

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Welsh Councils Slashed Over 20,000 Jobs Since 2012, GMB Union Reveals

Local authorities across Wales have dramatically reduced their workforces, cutting more than 20,000 jobs since 2012, according to a new study by the GMB union. The analysis of Office of National Statistics (ONS) data reveals a significant contraction in local government employment, with the total number of council workers plummeting from 153,934 to 132,205 by 2024. This represents a loss of 21,729 jobs, or over 14% of the total workforce.

Rhondda Cynon Taff has been particularly hard hit, with over 2,750 positions eliminated – a 22% reduction in staff. Bridgend and Flintshire have also experienced substantial job losses.

The GMB’s findings come as unions and local government representatives negotiate pay increases for council workers. A 3.2% pay offer has recently been put on the table.

Kevin Brandstatter, GMB National Officer, condemned the job losses, linking them to the “deep and lasting damage austerity has done to our country”. He emphasized the crucial role council workers play in communities, providing essential services such as caring for the vulnerable, educating children, and maintaining public spaces, noting they “are the absolute backbone of society”. He also argued that GMB members in local government deserve a “decent pay rise” to offset the pressures of the rising cost of living.

While this report focuses on Wales, a GMB study also revealed that councils across England and Wales have lost almost 600,000 staff since 2012