Contractors

Last update: 13 Mar 2026

Further Links

CONTRACTORS CAMPAIGNS UPDATE

Biffa Municipal National Pay Ballot is now open

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Biffa Municipal National Pay Ballot is now open

Your GMB Union reps have met with Biffa following a survey of members to negotiate your 2026 Pay Award.

During this meeting your reps highlighted the difficulties workers face from the cost of living, Inflation currently measured at RPI 3.8% and highlighted how improved pay, terms and conditions will encourage productivity and recruitment.

Biffa having significantly moved from their initial offer presented the below pay offer which your reps felts able to recommend acceptance of.

The final proposal is:

  • Rates of pay to increase by 3.8% with effect from 1st April 2026
  • Biffa Minimum Wage will increase to £12.91ph with effect from 1st April 2026 which applies to all employees
  • Employees who have not harmonised onto Biffa terms will receive an increase of 2.5%
  • A commitment to review ‘man down’ payments and meet to discuss with GMB representatives by the end of June 2026
  • The introduction of an Industrial Injury payment. The specific details including criteria will be provided separately.
  • A quarterly meeting between representatives from GMB and Biffa

The GMB Union is recommending acceptance of this offer.

Your GMB Reps will be holding workplace ballots for you to cast your vote. If you need further information about your workplace ballot or how else, you can vote please contact your local GMB Office.

In Solidarity

Will Dalton - National Officer

Biffa I&C Redbook Pay Ballot Now Open

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Biffa I&C Redbook Pay Ballot Now Open

The joint trade unions have been in negotiations with your employer regarding the 2026 pay review.

Following a two-day meeting between your Negotiating Committee (NNC) and the company, which was held over 4 & 5 March, the company have now tabled the following full and final offer:

Pay Proposal

  • Rates of pay to increase by 3.2% with effect from 1st April 2026
  • Biffa Minimum Wage will increase to £12.91ph with effect from 1st April 2026 which applies to all employees including apprentices
  • This increase is applicable to all grades covered by the Red Book
  • Employees who have not harmonised onto Biffa terms and conditions (e.g. still on ex-Shanks or ex-Viridor terms) will receive a 2.5% increase in rates of pay
  • The introduction of a tool allowance of £10 per week for colleagues with technician or fitter in their job title.
  • An increase of 4.11% for Machine Operatives to £13.15ph
  • An increase in the rate for overtime to 1.1 times pay on completion of 45 hours work.
  • 45 hour guaranteed week for drivers and crew

During the above meeting(s) your NNC negotiated significant improvements from the companies first offer, which included pay increases well below the above final offer.

Your reps believe that the offer is the best that can be achieved through negotiations and are therefore recommending acceptance of the offer by all members.

The ballot will be open between the 13th March and 10th April, your GMB reps will be holding workplace ballots, please get in touch with your local GMB office for information about how you can vote please contact your local GMB office.

In Solidarity

Will Dalton - National Officer

Biffa 2026 Pay Negotiations

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Biffa I&C & Municipal 2026 pay negotiations:

Following a survey of members and state of the company meetings with Biffa the attached pay claims have been submitted for the 2026 Biffa Pay Negotiations.

Your GMB representatives will be attending negotiations in the coming weeks and will shortly be balloting on the pay offer negotiated in those meetings.

If you would like further information or would like to arrange a visit from the GMB please get in touch with your local GMB representative/office.

biffa-i-and-c-pay-claim.pdf

GMB Pay Claim Biffa Muni 2026 (1).pdf



Veolia London & Home Counties: Best & Final Pay Offer 2026 - Ballot Open Now

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Following the rejection of the company’s pay offer by GMB and Unite members, we have now received a best and final offer.

The offer is:

  • A 2.75% hourly rate increase
  • The removal of two sickness waiting days

This is an improvement of 0.75% on the initial pay offer one, and 0.50% plus one sickness waiting day on the initial pay offer two.

GMB believes that this best and final pay offer is the best that can be achieved through negotiations. A rejection of this ballot is your indication of intent to undertake industrial action in order to pursue an improved pay offer.

Don’t miss the chance to have your say on your pay. Vote before the ballot closes on Tuesday 17th February 2026. If you’ve not received your ballot paper, please email PublicServices@gmb.org.uk

Ask non-union colleagues to join GMB today and have a vote – www.gmb.org.uk/join

Veolia London & Home Counties Pay Update

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Following a ballot of GMB and Unite members working for Veolia under the London & Home Counties Agreement, the pay offer for 2026 has been rejected.

The company has now been notified and we await their response. Further updates will follow in due course.

Veolia Fleet: Midlands Agreement Pay Update

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Thank you to all those who voted in the recent GMB pay ballot. 100% of GMB members voted to accept the pay offer.

URTU members have also accepted the pay offer.

The company has therefore now been notified that the pay offer has been accepted and we have requested that arrangements are now made to apply revised rates of pay and allowances, including back pay to January.

Veolia – London & Home Counties - Pay Ballot 2026 – Now Open

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Veolia – London & Home Counties

Pay Ballot 2026 – Now Open

Following the submission of a joint trade union (GMB and Unite) and pay negotiations, the company has now made an offer on pay for 2026.

There are two offers. If you vote to accept the company’s pay offer, you are asked to vote for one offer only.

Offer 1: 2% hourly rate increase and removal of 2 sickness waiting days.

Offer 2: 2.25% hourly rate increase and removal of 1 sickness waiting day.

Note: * Employees eligible for the 50p HGV allowance will continue to receive this entitlement in addition to the increased rates under either offer.

GMB believes that these pay offers are the best that can be achieved through negotiations. A rejection of this ballot is your indication of intent to undertake industrial action in order to pursue an improved pay offer.

Don’t miss the chance to have your say on your pay. Vote before the ballot closes on Friday 6th February 2026. If you’ve not received your ballot paper, please email PublicServices@gmb.org.uk

Ask non-union colleagues to join GMB today and have a vote – www.gmb.org.uk/join

Biffa I&C and Biffa Municipal – Pay Surveys Now Open!

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Pay talks are due to start in both Biffa I&C and Biffa Municipal.

GMB is now consulting with members across both agreements, to determine your pay aspirations, and ensure your voice is head in the drafting of pay claims and during pay negotiations.

Don’t miss the chance to have your say on your pay. Complete the survey today.

If you work under the Biffa I&C Agreement, complete this survey by no later than 3rd February: Biffa I&C Pay Survey 2026 – Fill in form

If you work under the Biffa Municipal Agreement, complete this survey by no later than 16th February: Biffa Municipal Pay Survey 2026 – Fill in form

If you have colleagues that are not in the GMB, ask them to join today on www.gmb.org.uk/join

Veolia Energy - Pay 2026 Ballot Results

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Following a ballot of GMB and Unite members working for Veolia Energy, the pay offer of 3.5% for 2026 has now been accepted by a majority of members eligible to vote.

The company will now be notified and arrangements will be made for it to be implemented.

Thanks,

Rachel Harrison

GMB National Secretary

National Convenor for Veolia

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Following a ballot of GMB Reps at Veolia, Jeff Hill has now been elected to take up the position of GMB National Convenor for Veolia. Congratulations to Jeff!

Also, thank you to Dan Keywood and Gregory Hollyoake for participating in the election.

In the next few weeks, Jeff will take up his position and we will arrange for a message to be sent to all GMB members working at Veolia.

Veolia Energy Pay 2026: GMB Ballot Open Now

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Following the submission of a joint union pay claim and pay negotiations, Veolia have made a pay offer of 3.5% for 2026. We believe this is the best offer that can be achieved through negotiations.

Full details of the pay negotiations and the employer’s written pay offer can be found in the below Veolia Energy pay update uploaded 23rd December 2025.

The ballot for GMB members is now open. GMB are recommending acceptance of this pay offer as the best that can be achieved through negotiation. A rejection of this ballot is your indication of intent to undertake industrial action in order to pursue an improved pay offer.

Use your vote today. Your ballot paper has been issued to you electronically by SMS and email. If you have not received your ballot paper, please email PublicServices@gmb.org.uk

Please vote by no later than 10am on Friday 16th January 2026.

Only GMB members can vote in this ballot. Not a GMB member? Join today at www.gmb.org.uk/join

Veolia Energy – Pay 2026 Update

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A joint union pay claim from GMB and Unite was submitted to the employer on 4th December 2025, which asked for a pay offer of RPI +1%.

The Stage 1 Pay Negotiation meeting was held on 9th December 2025, where the employer offered 2.55%, later increased to 2.85%. GMB and Unite advised at the time that this would not be acceptable to our members.

Stage 2 Pay Negotiations for Veolia Energy were held on 22nd December 2025.

Employers opened with an increased offer of 3.2% on the condition that GMB and Unite recommended the offer to their members.

Unions advised that this would not be acceptable to our members and made a counter proposal of between CPI and RPI, which is an offer being made and accepted elsewhere in the company. That being 3.5%.

After consulting with Regional Directors, a final offer of 3.5% was made.

You can read a copy of the formal pay offer letter here – collective-pay-proposal-veolia-energy-22-dec-25.pdf 

GMB members will now be balloted on this pay offer. The ballot will open week commencing 5th January 2026 and close at 10am on Friday 16th January 2026. Ballot papers will be issued electronically via email / SMS.

Biff I&C Ballot 2025/26 Results

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Dear GMB Member,

I am writing to confirm the outcome of the ballot following the ballot of GMB, Unite and URTU members on I&C red book terms and conditions.

Accept - 57%

Reject - 43%

We have written to the employer to ask that arrangements are made to implement the revised pay rates, and then pay any back pay calculated from the April anniversary date, as soon as practicably possible.

Sharon Wilde

National Officer

Biffa Pay Offer Accepted by GMB Members Working in Municipal Contracts in the GMB National Agreement

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The GMB ballot of members who work in Municipal Contracts in the GMB National Agreement has now concluded. The offer has been accepted by a majority of GMB members who participated in the ballot.

The overall percentage result is as follows,

63% accepted the pay offer.

37% rejected the pay offer.

GMB have now notified the employer of the overall ballot result. The employer has confirmed that pay will be implemented in the May pay run and will be backdated to April 2025.

The company’s offer is as follows below:

  • Rates of pay to increase by 3.6% with effect from 1st April 2025
  • Biffa Minimum Wage will increase to £12.40ph with effect from 1st April 2025 which applies to all employees
  • A one-off cash payment of £250 will be made to those employees who are on the Biffa Minimum Wage and who are employed on 31st May 2025

The GMB National Negotiating Committee for Biffa Municipal would like to thank you for your continued support throughout and will continue to work hard to improve your pay and terms and conditions.

Do you know a colleague who is not a GMB member? They can join online at www.gmb.org.uk/join and then contact your local GMB office for a ballot paper.

Are you interested in being a GMB rep in your workplace? If so, please get in touch with your local GMB office.

Biffa Pay Offer Accepted by GMB Members Working in Municipal Contracts in the GMB National Agreement

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The GMB ballot of members who work in Municipal Contracts in the GMB National Agreement has now concluded. The offer has been accepted by a majority of GMB members who participated in the ballot.

The overall percentage result is as follows

55% accepted the pay offer.

45% rejected the pay offer.

GMB have now notified the employer of the overall ballot result. The employer has confirmed that pay will be implemented in the November pay run and will be backdated to April 2024.

Do you know a colleague who is not a GMB member? They can join online at www.gmb.org.uk/join and then contact your local GMB office for a ballot paper.

Are you interested in being a GMB rep in your workplace? If so, please get in touch with your local GMB office.

Biffa I&C Pay Offer 2023 Update

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FAO GMB Members Working for Biffa I&C (Red Book)

Following the Joint Trade Union members rejection of the previous 7.5% offer, the joint unions requested to meet with management. A meeting was arranged between the Joint Trade Union Negotiating Committee and management and was convened on the 18th of September 2023. Following challenging discussions, the company presented their Full and Final position.

The detail of the company offer is as follows:

  • Rates of pay to increase by 8.0% with effect from 1st April 2023 with the minimum being Foundation Living Wage rates where applicable.
  • This increase is applicable to all grades of covered by the Red Book (including Hazardous Waste)
  • Mobile Plant / Machine Operatives rate increased by 12.1% (£13.50ph for the highest graded)

In addition to the above all other employees not included in the Red Book e.g., ex-Shanks, ex- Viridor (who haven’t harmonised onto Biffa terms) will receive a 5% increase in rates of pay.

The Joint Trade Unions believe that this offer is the best that can be achieved through negotiation and are recommending this offer.

The Joint Trade Unions will now be conducting a ballot of Trade Union members. The joint trade union pay ballots opens on Monday 25 September 2023 and closes at midday on Thursday 19 October 2023.

To find out how you will receive your ballot paper, please contact your GMB representative or your local GMB Office.

We thank all our GMB members for their patience and support during the negotiations. If you are currently not a Trade Union and want a say in your pay and your future join GMB today at gmb.org.uk/join.

    I&C Red Book Ballot Result

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    Dear Member,

    I am writing to confirm the outcome of the ballot following the ballot of GMB, Unite and Urtu members on I&C red book terms and conditions.

    Accept - 38%

    Reject - 62%

    We have informed the employer of the above ballot result and have requested a meeting to discuss next steps.

    I will keep you all informed.

    Best wishes,

    Sharon Wilde

    National Officer

    GMB UPDATE ON 2023 PAY OFFER

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    FAO GMB Members Working for Biffa I&C

    Pay negotiations for members working for Biffa I&C (Red Book) have finally concluded with a final pay offer for 2023/24.

    The pay offer is as follows,

    • Rates of pay to increase by 7.5% wef 1st April 2023 with the minimum being Foundation Living Wage rates where applicable.
    • This increase is applicable to all grades of covered by the Red Book (including Hazardous Waste)
    • Mobile Plant / Machine Operatives rate increased by 12.1% (£13.50ph for the highest graded)

    The Joint trade unions believe that this offer is the best that can be achieved through negotiation and will be conducting a ballot of Trade Union members. The joint trade union pay ballots opens on Tuesday 8 August 2023 and closes at midday on Friday 1 September 2023. If the offer is accepted by the majority of trade union members the company have confirmed that the uplift inpay will be implementedin September and backdated to April 2023.

    To find out how you will receive your ballot paper, please contact your GMB representative or your local GMB Office.

    We thank all our GMB members for their patience and support during the negotiations.

    If you are currently not a Trade Union and want a say in your pay and your future join GMB today at Join GMB.

    Biffa Pay Offer Accepted by GMB Members Working in Municipal Contracts in the GMB National Agreement.

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    The GMB ballot of members who work in Municipal Contracts in the GMB National Agreement has now concluded. The offer has been narrowly accepted by the majority of GMB members who participated in the ballot.

    The overall percentage result is as follows:-

    • 56% accepted the pay offer.
    • 44% rejected the pay offer.

    GMB have now notified the employer of the overall ballot result. The employer have confirmed that the money will be implemented in June’s pay and backdated to April 2023.

    Do you know a colleague who is not a GMB member? They can join online at www.gmb.org.uk/join and then contact your local GMB office for a ballot paper.

    Are you interested in being a GMB rep in your workplace? If so, please get in touch with your local GMB office.

    Pay Ballot for GMB Members working on Biffa Municipal Contracts in the GMB National Agreement.

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    The GMB pay ballot of members who work on Biffa Municipal contracts that are in the GMB National Agreement starts on the 17 May and ends on 7 June 2023. If you have not received your ballot paper, please contact your local GMB office.

    If you have changed your contact details it is important that you contact your GMB office or go on the GMB website for GMB to update your details.

    The ballot closes at noon Wednesday 7 June 2023 Please ensure that your ballot paper is completed and returned to us by this time. Ballot papers received after this date will not be counted. It is important that every member has their say and uses their vote. Please remember to complete your ballot paper and ensure that your vote counts.

    Do you know a colleague who is not a GMB member? They can join online at www.gmb.org.uk/join and then contact your local GMB office for a ballot paper.

    Are you interested in being a GMB rep in your workplace? If so please get in touch with your local GMB office.


    ISS – Review of Time Recording and Payroll Process

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    Dear GMB Member,

    ISS have advised us that they have undertaken a review of how paid time is calculated for National Minimum Wage (National Living Wage) purposes. They have discovered during the review that errors have been found in the way paid time was historically calculated for some current and former employees working in ISS healthcare, education and retail high street cleaning businesses. This has now been rectified going forward.

    Following the conclusion of that review, ISS have advised us they will be making remedy payments to some employees where their pay may have fallen below the applicable National Living Wage rate, in one or more pay periods, for one or more of the following reasons:

    • Some employees may have completed training outside of their normal working hours for which payment was not made; and/or,

    • Some employees have worked short periods of additional worked time which may not have been recorded accurately for payment; and/or,

    • Some employees have been required to change into uniform at work either before or after the end of their normal shift time, which may not have been recorded accurately for payment.

    ISS have informed GMB that they will write to ISS employees or former employees who they believe from their records have been affected by this issue to express their apologies and to advise them of the payments they intend to make to them. The payments will be made using the 2022- 23 National Living Wage rate and are expected to be made on or around the 23 March 2023. The payments cover the period from 15 April 2019 to 3 July 2022.

    If you have any concerns regarding this please contact your regional officer for advice and support.

    Veolia Energy Pay Ballot Results

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    Dear GMB Member,

    Following a ballot of GMB members I am writing to confirm that the pay offer ballot for Veolia Energy 2023 has concluded.

    Please see the GMB results below:

    28% accepted the offer.

    72% rejected the offer.

    GMB have informed the employer of the GMB ballot result. The majority of Unite members voted in favour of the pay offer for 2023.

    We will keep you further updated. If you have colleagues who aren’t GMB members, they can join online at GMB

    NSL Update

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    GMB union members working as parking wardens in Westminster have voted unanimously for strike action. Members are in dispute with your employer over pay. They have been offered a pay increase of 21 pence per hour as part of a 3 year pay deal.

    Staff have not had their allowances uplifted for over a decade and do not get London Weighting despite working in central London.

    All messages of solidarity and support are welcomed. If you would like to send a message of support, please - email paul.grafton@gmb.org.uk

    If you want to follow the campaign, you can do so on social media by following on @GMBSouthern on Twitter and @GMBSouthernRegion on Facebook.

    If you and your colleagues have issues with pay, terms and conditions that you would like to campaign on please speak to your local GMB Officer.

    Not a GMB member? Join today JOIN.

    Want information about being a GMB rep in your workplace – email: PublicServices@gmb.org.uk

    Pay Ballot 2022 (GMB Biffa National Agreement Sites Only)

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    If you are working on a Biffa Municipal site that comes under the GMB Biffa National Agreement, the ballot on this year’s pay offer is now open and you should shortly be receiving details of the pay offer and a ballot paper from your local GMB Organiser.

    This is your opportunity to have your say on your pay. Every vote matters.

    If you have not yet received details about the pay ballot you should contact your local GMB Representative immediately.

    The ballot closes on Wednesday 15th June 2022.

    Biffa Wealdon – Strike Action

    We are sending solidarity to all GMB members in dispute across the whole industry. Solidarity also to GMB members working at Biffa Wealdon as they enter their fifth consecutive week of strike action. After four weeks of continuous action, GMB members remain committed to securing an agreement that properly recognises the crucial public service they perform.

    All messages of solidarity and support are welcomed. If you would like to send a message of support, please email Charles.Harrity@gmb.org.uk.

    You can also donate to the strike fund by contact GMB Southern Regional Office on 020 8397 8881 who will be able to provide bank details or an address to send a cheque too. You can also donate online at GMB Southern | Fighting Fund.

    If you want to follow the campaign you can do so on social media by following on GMBSouthern on Twitter and GMBSouthernRegion on Facebook.

    Local Campaigns

    There are some terms and conditions that fall outside the national bargaining arrangements which can be negotiated locally. If you and your colleagues have issues with regards pay, terms and conditions outside of the GMB National Agreements that you would like a GMB campaign on, please speak to your local GMB Officer.

    Want information about being a GMB Rep at your workplace email PublicServices@gmb.org.uk

    AMEY WASTE & REFUSE UPDATE

    Noticeboard Bulletin - 31-05-2022

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    GMB union members working as Refuse Operatives for Amey on the Isle of Wight are currently being balloted for industrial action. Members are in dispute with your employer over pay which is well below industry rates.

    All messages of solidarity and support are welcomed. If you would like to send a message of support, please email Charles.harrity@gmb.org.uk

    If you want to follow the campaign you can do so on social media by following on @GMBSouthern on Twitter and @GMBSouthernRegion on Facebook.

    If you and your colleagues have issues with regards pay, terms and conditions that you would like a GMB campaign on, please speak to your local GMB Officer.

    Want information about being a GMB Rep in your workplace – email PublicServices@gmb.org.uk

    MITIE WASTE

    Noticeboard Bulletin

    GMB union members working At St George’s Hospital, Tooting, London are taking three days of strike action. The first day of action was on Monday 30th May and received huge support from the community who joined a protest march down the local high street. The next two days of action will take place on Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th June.

    These key workers carry out cleaning and hostess roles at the hospital and are demanding compensation for changes to their pay cycle that has resulted in delays to their pay for seven weeks.

    All messages of solidarity and support are welcomed. If you would like to send a message of support, please email helen.oconnor@gmb.org.uk

    If you want to follow the campaign you can do so on social media by following on GMBSouthern on Twitter and GMBSouthernRegion on Facebook.

    If you and your colleagues have issues with regards pay, terms and conditions that you would like a GMB campaign on, please speak to your local GMB Officer.

    Want information about being a GMB Rep in your workplace – email PublicServices@gmb.org.uk

    Previous Bulletins

    Noticeboard Bulletin - 04-03-2022

    Posted on:

    If you're looking to get more involved, but don't know where to start, contact our National Officer for Contractors: sharon.wilde@gmb.org.uk

    Check out some examples of what GMB Members are up to across the country!

    Veolia in Northamton

    Workers "hung out to dry" and balloting for strike action after Veolia pocket additional funding! - via Northants Live

    Amey in Sollihull

    Latest: Strike Action to go ahead in Sollihull - via The Birmingham Mail

    Read GMB Officer Dave Warwick's Statement

    Waste Industry - Updated Covid 19 Guidance

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    WISH, the Waste Industry Safety and Health forum have updated their advice for managing coronavirus risks for the waste industry.

    GMB have a seat on this forum and WISH members include representatives from HSE, Trade Unions, trade and professional associations, recycling organisations and National and Local Government bodies.

    The updated guidance reiterates that the most important control in preventing the spread of the virus continues to be good hygiene, social distancing (physical distancing in Scotland) and good ventilation. These practices should already be in place across all waste management operations.

    To reduce the opportunity for person-to-person transmission Social Distancing should continue to be maintained. Where this is not practically possible other measures should continue to be in place such as staggering changeovers, staggering rest breaks ensuring that rest areas are thoroughly cleaned after rest breaks and other uses. All surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned after use and surfaces, doorknobs and other touchpoints cleaned periodically throughout the day. Where possible, windows in welfare facilities should be kept open to encourage a good flow or air and ventilation. In smoking areas there must be a 2m separation during smoking breaks which are often gathering points. If vehicles have to be shared controls must be maintained and enforced with regard to hygiene and ventilation such as always keeping windows open in shared cabs.

    The guidance states that where waste operatives must enter a building where it is mandatory to wear face coverings then this must be complied with. If a third-party site has inadequate COVID controls in place and does not feel safe to enter, this should be reported to your manager.

    There has been further clarification on the use of face shields/visors which have become popular for some people. The evidence is that they provide little protection and should not be used on their own.

    The guidance has given further clarification on the vulnerable and clinically extremely vulnerable:

    “Vulnerable and clinically extremely vulnerable people with pre-existing conditions, or other individual factors, may be more prone to suffering more serious effects from COVID-19. Current guidance uses two categories - ‘vulnerable’ and ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ persons. In outline, vulnerable persons may be more prone to the effects of COVID-19 because of factors such as their age, being overweight etc. Clinically extremely vulnerable persons include those with specific clinical conditions which may make the effects of COVID-19 extremely serious.”

    It states that employers should protect all of their employees, vulnerable or not, the precautions which may need to be put in place are typically the same, and strict adherence by employees to controls should be the same no matter their status

    In particular, employers should note any requirement for clinically extremely vulnerable persons to ‘shield’ (self-isolate) in specific circumstances, such as in England dependent on the ‘tier’ they live in, or if a lockdown is in effect, or if they have been contacted and instructed to shield.

     

    To access Version 9 of the WISH COVID 19 guidance document click on the link below

    INFO-13-COVID19-and-waste-management-activities-issue-9-6-Jan-2021.pdf (wishforum.org.uk)

    Letter to Rish Sunak on Contractor Relief

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    Date: 08/01/21

    FAO: Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer
    Cc: Michael Gove MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office

    Dear Chancellor,

    Re: Procurement Policy Notes 02/20 and 04/20–Supplier relief due to COVID 19

    I am contacting you regarding the Cabinet Office guidance previously issued that was applicable to all contracting authorities, excluding Devolved Administrations, that expired on 31 October 2020.

    The guidance specified that all contracting authorities should: “inform suppliers who they believe are at risk that they will continue to be paid as normal (even if service delivery is disrupted or temporarily suspended) ”also“ suppliers should agree to act on an open book basis and make cost data available to the contracting authority during this period. They should continue to pay employees and flow down funding to their subcontractors.”

    This applied to all contracting authorities including central government departments, executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies, local authorities, NHS bodies and the wider public sector (excluding Devolved Administrations)

    This guidance was instrumental inensuring that suppliers received continuity of payment, which ultimately benefited GMB members who are now facing real hardship.

    Throughout the pandemic, GMB has consistently raised concerns that contractors have not always played their part in protecting workers and slowing the spread of the virus.

    Many central government contractors have failed to provide adequate Covid absence payments to their staff, relying instead on existing SSP sick pay terms which do not go far enough.

    GMB has raised on several occasions the lack of equality and fairness across this sector and even produced an Equality Impact Assessment setting out where the government was failing low paid workers across the contracting sector.

    GMB is of the view that all staff should receive full pay if they need to self-isolate, as is the case for those staff directly employed by government departments.

    The issue is being acutely felt in healthcare settings. In March 2020, unions agreed with NHS Employers and the DHSCthat all staff working in healthcare settings should continue to receive full pay should they be required to isolate due to Covid-19.

    This agreement was extended to subcontractors. Since the expiry of the supplier relief, some contractors have ceased to pay their staff working in hospitals for Covid related absences.

    Many GMB members are now being forced into attending work against Government advice as they cannot afford not to.

    This is a serious public health concern, as inadequate sick pay arrangements are associated with higher infection rates.

    This scenario is being replicated across contractors to many government departments and may contribute to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus.

    The same guidance issued to NHS contractors in March needs to be issued across all government contractors as a matter of urgency and we need you to step in and do this and your department needs to underwrite the funding of thisimmediately.

    The Government has now placed the whole of England in to national lockdown. This has once more brought about great uncertainty for GMB members who work within contracted services in the public sector such as hospitals, schools, job centres, prisons and prisoner transport.

    Covid infection rates are at their highest ever level, and the majority of these skilled workers are low paid, female and many are from Black Asian Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

    GMB are therefore demanding that the PPN Guidance is reinstated with immediate effect and that notification is served to all contractors regarding the payment of full pay for those on sick leave or Covid related absence.

    I look forward to your response in order for us to reassure our members during these unprecedented times.

    Yourssincerely,

    Rehana Azam
    GMB National Secretary

    Join us and become a GMB
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