Posted on: 5 March 2024

NATIONAL GRID

JOINT TRADE UNION PAY CLAIM 2024

For members in National Grid Electricity Transmission, ESO, NGV, and Corporate only

Does not include National Gas Transmission and National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) members.

Dear Members,

GMB and the other joint unions submitted the following claim on 4th March 2024:

Background

National Grid PLC and its UK operations remains a highly profitable business with a very impressive financial performance including a significant increase in pre-tax profits in 2023.

Key measures that show this from National Grid PLC accounts -

- A 17.4% increase in turnover to £21.7bn.

- A 4.3% increase of pre-tax profit from £3.4bn to £3.6bn.

- An 3.8% increase in profit per employee from £117,472 to £121,902.

Inflation since our 2023 settlement has been consistently high, and while it has fallen, the last quarter has seen that decline tail off.

We note that regular pay grew by 6.6% in nominal terms in the last three months to November 2023 according to the ONS, and that pay growth has outpaced inflation for five consecutive months in the same period.

Our Claim

For 2024 we are seeking:-

• A consolidated above RPI inflation pay rise on salaries, pay scales and steps that reflects union members contribution to National Grids' highly successful business performance that improves year on year.

• We are seeking this award which we believe to be fair and affordable and sees members standard of living advance ahead of the cost of living and inflation, which remains stubbornly high.

• To secure a pay settlement the company must introduce pay progression measures where these do not already exist as part of any settlement for 2024 and agree meaningful steps to deliver an enduring solution that provides this.

• In addition to progression, that joint work is undertaken between the company and TU side through the NGSF to identity opportunities and governance for progression to enhanced and above the ‘rate for the job’ where members L1-8 have enhanced or advanced skills or competences.

• An improvement to the Defined Contribution pension scheme, specifically making allowances consistently pensionable consistently across DB and DC schemes, the introduction of pre-retirement leave for all members and improving employer DC contributions.

• Improvements to shift and standby allowances beyond the negotiated salary settlement to encourage employee attraction and retention of these critical roles.

• The re-introduction of employee private medical care.

• A joint Company and Trade Union benchmarking working group to review all market supplements and salary levels in different grades and roles under the NSGF jurisdiction with the authority to agree improvements outside of annual pay negotiations.

• An agreed way forward on the Ways of Working update with the clear shared understanding that this is a joint agreement and cannot be varied by either party without negotiation or agreement.

• An improvement to the basic annual leave entitlement by an additional day.

• Finally, with the imminent sale of the ESO, it is pivotal that these negotiations cover the ESO and that the company make every effort to ensure that these negotiations are concluded before the sale of the ESO.

First talks with company take place on 22nd March and we will keep you informed of developments.

If you are not yet a member of GMB Union and want a say on your pay, then you can join online at www.gmb.org.uk/join.

In Solidarity

Gary Carter

National Officer

Posted on: 31 January 2024

Dear Members,

Please see below the latest Joint Trade Union statement regarding National Grid Pay Progression Talks.

joint-statement-ngrid-pay-progression-talks-300124.pdf

Posted on: 8 January 2024

National Grid –

GMB Pay Survey 2024

For members in National Grid Electricity Transmission, ESO, NGV, and Corporate only

Does not include National Gas Transmission and National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) members.

Dear members

Thanks to all GMB members for taking time to complete the pay survey. It is important that GMB members have a say on pay. We had a good response, and we will use the results to help draw up the pay claim with GMB reps and the other trade unions.

The top two issues that came up in the survey were the percentage pay rise and pay progression. The cost-of-living crisis is still hitting people hard and real price rises and increases in interest rates and rents are far higher than the headline inflation figures. From the survey it is clear that GMB members are looking for an increase that reflects this and maintains a good standard of living.

Pay talks across the energy sector are starting this month and the pay negotiations with National Grid are scheduled for the middle of January. We will keep you informed of developments as discussions progress.

If you are not yet a member of GMB Union, and you want a say on your pay, you can join online at www.gmb.org.uk or complete the form overleaf and return it to your GMB workplace rep.

In Solidarity

Gary Carter

National Officer

Posted on: 16 October 2023

National Grid Staff Forum (NGSF) Joint Statement – Future System Operator (FSO)

12 September 2023

The NGSF is comprised of representatives from Senior Management, Employee Relations along with senior union representatives including our four Full Time Officers from Prospect, Unite, UNISON and GMB.

The NGSF welcomes the Electricity System Operator (ESO) recent update to those colleagues in enabling functions welcoming them to the Future System Operator. This is a positive step as it gives colleagues (who are clearly aligned to ESO today) certainty, while also giving the opportunity for the leadership team to share with them the vision of the Future System Operator.

The NGSF and their respective local forums (Joint Services & ESO Forum) continue to have open dialogue. We jointly recognise the importance of constructive relationships as we work towards a smooth transition with appropriate assurances through the process of separating the ESO from National Grid.

The NGSF and the local forums remain committed to further engagement and consultation, where appropriate as soon as more information becomes available.

We appreciate that colleagues may have questions and we encourage you to speak to your line manager, your People Partner or contact your trade union representative.

We would like to thank you for your continued commitment

Kind regards

Nikki Jamieson – FSO Separation Director

Kayte O’Neil – Director of Transformation, ESO

Claire Crofts – Joint Secretary (Company side)

Steve Thomas – Joint Secretary (Trade Union side) Prospect, National Secretary

Matt Jones – Unite, National Officer

Matthew Lay - UNISON, National Officer

Gary Carter– GMB, National Officer