UNISON Pembrokeshire County Branch launched its 'Don't sign' campaign, on Friday, urging members not to sign up to the new package of pay, terms and conditions being offered by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Pembrokeshire County Council will be sending letters to the majority of its staff before the end of January asking them to sign up to the new package of pay, terms and conditions. UNISON will be meeting members during the coming weeks to discuss the package.

Vic Dennis, UNISON Pembrokeshire County Branch secretary, said: "UNISON is encouraging members not to sign. This package will have a detrimental impact on our members and we believe that an overall fairer package can be achieved.

"We have continually tried to negotiate with the council, but they have not budged. We even encouraged them to get an external expert to look at the fairness of results, but this again was refused.

"Local Government workers have not received a penny rise in pay over the last three years. Pay is now worth 10 per cent less than in 1997 and the cost of essentials such as fuel and food have all increased well above inflation in recent years. Now we are being asked to accept an unfair package of terms and conditions whilst the pay freeze continues.

"We need to ensure that Pembrokeshire County receive a loud and clear message from their workforce that their new package is simply unacceptable. This is why we are urging our members to stand together and not to sign up to the package they have offered.

"UNISON will be holding meetings with members over the coming weeks to discuss the current package on the table. We are hoping that, once the council understand the strength of feeling on this matter, they will be prepared to participate in a meaningful negotiation that will lead to a fairer deal for our members."

Responding to the launch of the campaign, a spokesperson for the county council said: Pembrokeshire County Council - along with all local authorities in England and Wales - has been undertaking a pay and grading review to address long standing issues of pay and inequality in its workforce.

"The council has been working on this review for a long period of time, with the trade unions fully consulted.

"Unfortunately, the authority has not yet been able to reach an agreement with the trade unions on a solution to this matter and is now intending to consult directly with its workforce on a new, fair, affordable pay structure (compliant with the law) on equal pay.

"In the meantime, consultations with trade unions will continue.

"The proposed settlement has been reached in the context of limited resources at a time when the council is facing considerable cost pressures.