Union members in the North West and Northern Ireland ballot now open for local government, council and schools.
Your union recommends that you reject this pay offer, because you are worth more.
GMB union pay ballot covering all workers across local government, school & academies that follow National Joint Council (NJC Green Book) pay, terms and conditions across England, Wales and Northern Ireland is now open.
In GMB union only members have their say on pay and we now need you to take part in this important ballot and let us know if you are prepared to accept or reject the pay offer.
The closing date for the ballot is Friday 28th April 2023.
GMB union joint Local Government and Schools Committee representatives have discussed the pay offer and believe that you are worth more than the current pay offer and are recommending that you vote to REJECT
A vote to reject, is also your vote in favour of industrial action as a next step in this campaign if there is no improvement to the current offer.
From school support staff to refuse workers, from town hall workers to social workers. Hundreds of occupations are covered by this pay offer. (Approximately 1 million workers plus are covered).
2023/24 Local Government & Schools Pay offer is for one year and is as follows:
With effect from 1 April 2023, an increase of £1,925 on all NJC pay points 2 - 43 (FTE). This equates to 9.42% for SCP2 and no less than 3.88% for SCP43. (This will be pro rata for part time and term time only workers).
With effect from 1 April 2023, an increase of 3.88% on all allowances (as listed in the 2022 NJC pay agreement circular dated 1 November 2022)
The employers also responded to other elements of the pay claim as follows:
Union Claim - A review of the pay spine, including looking at the top end, and discussions about the link between how remuneration can be used to improve retention.
Employer Response - The Joint Secretaries will enter into exploratory ‘without prejudice’ informal discussions in order to map out the practical considerations of how and when the pay spine might be reviewed once the future policy direction of the National Living Wage has been confirmed.
Union Claim - A review and improvement of NJC terms for family leave and pay.
Employer Response - Agree to enter into discussions on the broader family leave and pay issues.
Also to incorporate into the National Agreement’s Maternity Scheme, the statutory provisions that provide for an additional week’s leave for each week a neonatal baby is in hospital, for up to 12 weeks, paid currently at the statutory rate of £156.66 per week (or 90% of earnings, if less).
Union Claim - Consideration of a flat rate increase to hourly rates of pay in order to bring the minimum rate up to £15 per hour within two years.
Employer Response - Reject that outcomes are reviewed as these are matters for local determination.
They are aware that model profiles for school support staff roles are ten years old. They propose that the Job Evaluation Technical Working Group will conduct a review of all the 2013 profiles.
Union Claim - Establish model role profiles for school support staff jobs, with advisory banding structures.
Employer Response – Rejected
Union Claim - An additional day of annual leave for personal or well-being purposes
Employer Response – Rejected
Union Claim - A homeworking allowance for staff for whom it is a requirement to work from home.
Employer Response – Rejected
Union Claim - A homeworking allowance for staff for whom it is a requirement to work from home.
Employer Response – Rejected
Union Claim - A reduction in the working week by two hours.
Employer Response – Rejected
GMB union is now asking you to vote to accept or reject the pay offer.
GMB union Local Government & Schools Committees are recommending that you REJECT.
What happens next is up to you. We need all our members to have their say on pay. Make sure you get your ballot paper and vote. If you have not received your ballot paper, please contact your local GMB union branch/office.
