Wales reporter

UNION members challenged Wrexham council on Monday to reveal the bill for its workforce plan as it ballots members for strike action.

Unison Cymru claimed the north Wales council was refusing to disclose the cost of its four-day office attendance rule as the employer has had to remodel offices and relocate teams to accommodate more staff.

Wrexham Council approved the policy in May 2025 and implemented it from September 1 last year.

The union says the rigid rule has reduced flexibility, caused unnecessary stress and left some staff working in offices without enough space or permanent desks.

Unison Wrexham branch secretary Tracey Sutton-Postlethwaite said: “Staff are being required to attend council offices four days a week, but the council still won’t say what that will cost.

“Workers and residents should be able to see how public money is being spent, especially while staff are voting on potential strike action.”

Unison Cymru said there was no evidence the policy had improved services for residents.

The union sent a freedom of information request asking how much the work has cost so far and whether further spending is planned, including furniture, IT equipment and office space on the hybrid working policy.

Unison Cymru said the council declined to provide the figures until October, which is after the union’s strike ballot on the issue has closed.

The union said the council’s refusal to disclose costs during its ballot means staff and taxpayers can’t judge the value of the policy.

Unison Cymru regional organiser Merlin Gable said: “If the council already holds figures for how much the four-day policy will cost, then it should publish them now.

“Staff deserve to know while the ballot is going on. The council should agree a hybrid working policy that works for employees, services and residents.”

Council and school staff are being asked whether they’re prepared to walk out over the requirement to attend council buildings four days a week, and whether to accept an annual pay offer of 3.3 per cent.

The ballot closes at 10am on Thursday (August 6).

Wrexham Council was asked to set out the costs of the attendance changes and respond to Unison Cymru’s strike ballot but declined to comment.