COUNCIL workers are asking for a six per cent "catch up and match up" pay rise this year and have said they may strike if the council does not listen.

Unions Unison, GMB and TGWU-UNITE have joined to submit the pay claim, which, they say, is essential to avoid a recruitment crisis.

In a strongly-worded letter to leader of the council, Clyde Loakes, Unison Branch secretary Dave Knight asked him to give "careful consideration" to the request.

He said: "I believe the outcome of this year's negotiations will be crucial to the future of our council. Unison wants to work with the council for top quality public services but that means fair pay and fair treatment of the workforce."

Mr Knight said rates of pay had fallen below the rates of inflation over the past four years so a rise of six per cent was needed to bring workers' pay up to that of other public sector workers.

He added that during the same time councillors had awarded themselves pay rises of 25 per cent, while pay for senior officers had risen by five per cent.

"Councils are already unable to compete for staff with other public and private sctor employers even in low pay areas." Mr Knight added.

"More than 70 per cent can't recruit social workers and other social care staff."

While the lowest paid council worker gets £11,577, those in the NHS earn £12,182 and those in higher education, £12,773.

The unions are also unimpressed with the single status process, a Government ruling which forces local authorites to pay equal pay for similar types of jobs.

The legislation leaves councils open to a higher wage bill and an added bill for back pay claims.

In response Waltham Forest has offered staff a compromise - while some workers will see their pay rise under the current deal offered, others could lose up to £8,000 a year.

Mr Knight said that those set to lose were in the majority and were unsure how they would pay their mortages and rent after such a pay cut.

Consultion on the current council pay offer ends tomorrow.

Mr Knight said if union members chose not to accept the offer Unison would pursue industrial action.