GMB members have voted to reject a 3.2 per cent pay offer from the Local Government Association (LGA) for 2025/26.
The union balloted almost 150,000 school staff, carers and other council staff.
A majority of 77 per cent rejected the deal.
GMB Local Government and Schools Committees then unanimously agreed for the union to demand a meeting with the local government employers.
Kevin Brandstatter, GMB National Officer, said:
“GMB members have massively rejected this real terms pay cut; one of the worst in the public sector, made to unions as a full and final offer without even a meeting.
"Offering teachers 4 per cent and badly paid school support staff and other council workers just 3.2 per cent is a disgrace.
"GMB members are fed up with being undervalued and overstretched.
"The LGA has shown complete and utter contempt for hard working public servants doing their best to deliver services despite insufficient staff or resources.”
