Time For Real Change Says Reject the NJC Pay Cut Pay Offer
Time For Real Change believes all NJC conditioned members should reject the current pay offer in the consultative ballot and here are some reasons why:
The Joint Union Claim was for £2,000 or RPI – whichever is the greater. The final offer meets neither element of that claim for anyone!
The final offer means no staff will receive an inflation equivalent pay rise – in other words we will all receive a pay cut!
The average salary for a Local Government worker is £32,000 so a majority of workers will get 5% or less.
The final offer will increase the 27.5% real term pay cut our members have suffered since 2010.
The deletion of SCP 1 from 2023 would have to happen anyway to keep our lowest paid above the national minimum wage set by a Tory Government
The employers have rejected a one-off COVID-19 recognition payment that covers all NJC workers
The employers have rejected the introduction of a homeworking allowance for all staff who are working from home
The employers have rejected the introduction of a school support staff retention payment scheme, supported by Green Book guidance
The employers have rejected a reduction of the working week to 35 hours with no loss of pay, and a reduction to 34 hours a week in London. Part-time staff to be given a choice of a pro rata reduction, or retaining the same hours and being paid a higher percentage of FTE
There will be many who have seen or been presented only with the headline Pay Offer of £1925 and additional leave and there can be no doubt this is an interesting offer and it will be for members to accept or reject – but if you want to find out how much you will lose simply click here.
The elected NJC took a very bold approach this year to our pay negotiations this year agreeing to only have a disaggregate ballot, they overwhelmingly supported moving straight to a formal industrial action ballot and agreed to explore targeted action as well – the employers are aware that we are taking pay seriously this year.
Members will decide but Time For Real Change was keen to ensure we are all as well-informed about the actual detail of this offer as possible and it is hoped the above contributes to that. Regions and Branches can vote to campaign to reject as long as they include the exact wording of the NJC position on Pay.
Time For Real Change is unequivocal – this pay cut pay offer should be rejected.
Trade Unions are finally finding their voice and Time For Real Change urges all UNISON members to REJECT this Pay Cut Pay Offer in which everybody loses!