CALLS have been made to give council workers in Ryedale a “fair” wage rise.

UNISON members have voted to go out of strike across the country for two days later this month in a long running battle over pay.

Now Coun John Clark plans to table a motion at the next full council meeting to lobby the Local Government Association to offer all workers an extra four per cent.

The current offer from employers stands at 2.45 per cent and the union is demanding six per cent.

He said: “There is no need for a Local Government strike if the employees are rewarded fairly. Money has already been available in the Ryedale District Council budget.”

The walk out in Ryedale is planned for July 16 and 17, as part of a national dispute and is expected to be the biggest show of unrest among civil servants for many years.

At the next meeting of Ryedale District Council on Thursday (July 10) members will discuss the proposal.