Local Government Services (Green Book) Pay Update April 2008
There was a further LGS pay negotiations meeting yesterday (2nd April) at which the employers tabled a revised offer as follows -
• 2.45% on all spinal column points, plus an additional £100 on Spinal Column Points 4, 5 and 6;
• The NJC will seek to complete by 31st December 2008 the review of the national agreement agreed as part of the 2007 settlement; and
• The NJC will seek to agree by 31st December 2008 the pay settlements effective from 1st April 2009 and 1st April 2010.
The unions will now begin the process of consulting their members on the offer. We do not know the basis on which they will be consulting (e.g., best that can be achieved, recommend rejection etc) or whether the consultation will be of individual members or branches. They hope to announce the outcome of the consultation in mid-May.
Local Government Pay Negotiations – Update May 2008
The unions have been consulting their members on the Employer’s final offer of 2.45% on all spinal column points, plus an additional £100 on Spinal Column Points 4, 5 and 6.
Unison’s consultation of their branches resulted in a 54% vote to reject the offer, and they will now be balloting all members for strike action. The ballot will start 27th May and end on 13th June with the possible first day of strike on 8th July.
An update posted on Unison’s website states:
‘If members vote Yes to industrial action, that is likely to start with a two-day all-out strike in early July, and be followed by a sustained campaign of escalating action, involving strikes of more than two days.
Asking members to vote for action, the union is making it clear that the employers' offer is final, and "solid and sustained" industrial action will be needed to convince the employers to reopen negotiations’.
The GMB decided at a National Lay Delegates conference on 24/4 that they would ballot all members on the offer. The ballot will run throughout May.
Currently there is no word from Unite (T&GWU).
As you will see there is very unlikely to be any activity on the pay negotiations until after the 13th June at earliest, depending upon the outcome of Unison’s strike ballot.
Local Government Green Book Pay Negotiation – Update June 2008
I am writing to update you on the current position with regard to the 2008 pay negotiations for local government services (Green Book) employees.
Unison obtained a vote in support of strike action by 55% on a 27% turn out of their membership. Similarly Unite (T&GWU) obtained a 75% vote in favour of strike action on a 27% turn out. GMB members voted not to take strike action.
The first days of strikes will be 16th and 17th of July. The Employer’s have reiterated that the offer of 2.45% increase on all grades from scale point 7, with an additional £100 flat rate increase on scale points 4, 5 and 6, (giving workers on those points a 3.3% rise) is their final one.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES PAY NEGOTIATIONS – Update July 2008
The following statement has been issued today on behalf of the National Employers and UNISON and Unite:
“Local government unions UNISON and Unite, and the National Employers, in the context of the current dispute on the 2008 pay settlement, agree that a new era of employment is needed to reflect properly the contribution of the workforce in purview of the NJC to service improvements and the future needs of local people.
Therefore, to secure this new settlement, the partners are committed to immediate serious and meaningful negotiations over a range of issues, including those in the trade union claim this year and a full review of the national conditions of service. These discussions will be on the basis of nothing ruled in or out and will aim to conclude with early proposals that recognise the aspirations of the workforce in the context of the financial position of local government.
Both the National Employers and UNISON and Unite will enter into these negotiations constructively with the aim of securing an employment package which is fit for the future with positive industrial relations, high quality and efficient local services and resolves the current dispute”
The agreed talks are scheduled to begin on Wednesday 13 August.
Craft workers' pay update
Update 29 April 2008
The Employers are disappointed that UCATT has rejected the employers' offer of 2.45% effective from 1 April 2008, without giving its members the opportunity of a consultation process to consider the offer in detail.
However, a meeting is being arranged for early June in order to give both Sides of the JNC the opportunity to set out their positions.
The employers have nonetheless already conveyed to the Trade Union Side that the offer as set out in their letter of 14 April is final and represents the absolute limit of authorities' affordability.
Chief Officers pay update
Update 29 April 2008
The Chief Officers have submitted a pay and conditions claim for 2008:
1. A 6% increase on all salary points.
2. A commitment with a target date for resolving outstanding issues.
3. A commitment to issue joint guidance on the effects of the changed political structures
4. A commitment to issue joint guidance on establishing and maintaining a fair work life balance for Chief Officers.