Local Government NJC "Green Book" Noticeboard
Latest update for members in NJC "Green Book" roles across Local Government
Click here for the most recent NJC Circulars
Latest update for members in NJC "Green Book" roles across Local Government
Click here for the most recent NJC Circulars
Date: 18/01/2021
The NJC pay survey closed in November 2020. The headline results are as follows:
31% of respondents would be willing to accept a 5% pay increase to at least maintain standard of living
93% respondents think GMB should continue to campaign for a minimum £10.00 starting rate
63% respondents say excluding a percentage increase there is not anything else they would like GMB to submit on the claim (we have agreed to supplement this year’s pay claim with a conditions pay claim)
37% of respondents work regular unpaid overtime
69% of respondents have taken time off due to Covid-19
94% were paid whilst off due to Covid 19
Due to pandemic and restricted access to workplaces:
100+ people requested socially distanced workplace meetings.
100+ requested online workplace meeting.
100+ respondents would be interested in becoming a GMB Rep in the workplace
GMB are meeting with NJC Unions to agree the full staff side pay claim. GMB NJC meetings have already taken place with the majority view that we move to a pay claim that asks for a substantial pay increase but that this pay round we include a condition’s claim as there are several areas NJC unions want to discuss with the employer in the next pay round.
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Date: 16/07/2020
17/04/2020
As you will be aware NJC trade unions have been in on-going pay talks with Local Government and School employers for some time and well before we moved into this unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic.
Whilst GMB’s priority has been to support all our members across Local Government and School through the pandemic we have continued to hold talks with the Local Government Association (LGA) on the pay claim trade union submitted last June 2019.
TO RECAP
The initial offer of 2% tabled by the employers a few months ago was rejected outright and the trade unions asked the employers to improve the offer. We also wrote to the employers as we moved into this pandemic:
Today (16/04/20) the LGA employers tabled their revised offer headlines of the offer are as follows:
With effect from 1 April 2020, an increase of 2.75 per cent on all NJC pay points 1 and above
With effect from 1 April 2020, an increase of one day to the minimum annual leave entitlement as set out at Part 2 Para 7.2 in the National Agreement. This increase would apply just to those employees whose leave entitlement at 1 April 2020 is twenty-one days (plus extra statutory and public holidays)
An agreement that the Joint Secretaries should continue discussions on “a comprehensive joint national review of the workplace causes of stress and mental health”
The National Employers have also proposed that the Joint Secretaries enter into discussions, without prejudice, in order to examine all options for ensuring the sector – and the NJC pay spine - can meet the challenge of the Government’s target for the National Living Wage in the coming years.
Employer side to make representations to government in order to seek funding for an additional amount to be awarded above the tabled 2.75% to employees in recognition of the exceptional hard work.
GMB INITIAL RESPONSE
The GMB alongside sister unions have responded to the offer expressing disappointment. Please see as follows:
Joint trade union response to LGA 16/04/20 Letter
Joint Union Press Release 160420 Press Release
In response to the offer
Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary, said:
“We rejected the initial opening offer of 2% as it was woefully low - and that was before the seismic shift caused by coronavirus.
“Right now, our most precious resources are our key workers. They are getting us through this pandemic with their invaluable and selfless dedication in numerous critical roles.
"That’s why we are so disappointed the LGA hasn’t made a strong enough case before tabling a 2.75% offer to government to fund a key workers allowance.
“The ask is simple; we want employers and the Government to recognise the strain and huge risks our members are working under. Many of them are struggling to access PPE and are still waiting for the coronavirus testing they have been promised.
“We will continue to make representations for the best settlement and let GMB members have their say on pay.”
NEXT STEPS
In GMB our members always have a say on their pay so a full pay ballot for you to have a vote on the offer will follow but please note the next steps are as follows:
A full meeting of Senior Reps of the GMB Local Government and Schools Committee’s will take place Monday 20th April 2020. The meeting will be held virtually.
GMB members will be asked to support our efforts in pushing government to top the tabled 2.75% and details will emerge on how you can do this.
A timetable for the ballot will be worked out but we do not anticipate the ballot to open until we have exhausted the push to government to top up the 2.75%
We will continue to carry on with the pay negotiations on the areas that need further talks until we conclude to a final pay offer
CONCLUSION
GMB appreciates how difficult the current working environment our members are operating under and we will continue to ensure we make full representation on your pay. Once we reach a conclusion the final offer will be put to every member to a vote to have their say on pay.
SIGN UP
GMB appreciate that key workers are on the frontline but please now is the time to build our union power so if you are aware of any work colleagues not in a union please encourage them to join at www.gmb.org.uk
We appreciate you may have a number of questions on the next steps but please be assured will continue to provide regular prompt update in the coming days and weeks. If you need to raise anything on pay please contact your local GMB Rep/Officer.
Can we take this opportunity to thank you for keeping us safe and for all you are doing in getting us through this pandemic.
Best Wishes
Rehana Azam
GMB National Secretary
Karen Leonard
GMB National Officer
