Pay dispute at West Midlands Combined Authority as staff reject offer

Unison members have been working to rule for three months and took part in strikes in November and December claiming that the authority failed to improve on previous its wage proposal. The workers voted to overwhelmingly reject a 3.2 per cent offer before Christmas. 

 But West Midlands Combined Authority said that negotiations were still open and it was hoping to resolve the dispute soon.

Employees involved include those who work at bus stations, public transport interchanges, infrastructure project officers and customer service staff affecting transport operations, environmental and housing projects, as well as work in communities across the region.

The union said further strikes can be avoided if the employer made an improved offer.

 UNISON West Midlands regional organiser Ashley Morley said: “Combined authority staff don't want to take this action and the employer could have avoided it with a decent pay offer. Workers have faced major changes to the service and taken on greater responsibilities. Their pay should reflect that.

“Staff deserve proper recognition and a decent pay offer that matches their skills, dedication and the critical work they do.”

The union said employees were being hit by the rising cost of living and were looking to the authority's managers to make them a better offer and avoid disruption to public services. It also and claimed the pay rise for 2025/26 was due more than six months ago.

A statement by the authority read: “We are still in open negotiations with the unions and our focus very much remains on achieving a fair resolution as soon as possible.”

The combined authority based in Summer Lane, Birmingham, manages the region's public transport planning among other services and is made up of 18 councils with Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Coventry, Sandwell, Solihull and Dudley having full voting rights. The chairman is Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker.