Discussions with regions have been most helpful. Not only have the discussions influenced the timeline they have also influenced the approach to this pay consultation. So there is a slight step change from previous years. It's clearly helpful the GMB Public Services Pay Pinch Campaign has been launched. The pay pinch campaign is a key building block in galvanising momentum and activity across our workplaces to support regions in their membership consolidating efforts on pay, terms and conditions.
Hundreds of thousands of Local Government workers have seen their pay drop in real terms. Demand for Public Services is increasing and yet Local Government workers are asked to do more for less and many members have felt the consequences with increased stress at work. With a snap General Election called it’s timely that the ‘Have Your Say on Pay’ Campaign across Local Govt has been launched.
As Theresa May has said, “if your pay has stagnated for several years in a row and fixed items of spending keep going up, it doesn’t feel like the economy’s working for you.”
Brexit is pushing inflation up, costing the average full-time worker an extra £1,426 in lost earnings by 2020 if the 1% cap isn’t lifted. We need Councillors, MP’s to oppose a Decade of Pay Cuts.
To support regions in this consultation we have prepared a range of materials. Most materials have been prepared in response to suggestions and comments from regions. Over the coming months we expect campaigning across each Local Authority to be stepped up, across each Constituency and across as many workplaces we can reach through our army of post-holders. We need GMB Reps/Organisers to arrange meetings across workplaces to discuss the Local Government Pay timeline, encourage members to complete the ‘Have your Say on Pay’ survey, recruit workplace reps and consolidate memberships as appropriate.
The GMB NJC Local Government pay consultation pack is available at the following link https://www.gmb.org.uk/localgov-workplacemeetingpack.pdf
Please note the consultation is live and the aim is to run this until early June. After this a meeting will be called of GMB NJC reps where a pay claim will be agreed and then in consultation with other unions a pay claim will be submitted to employers by June. All unions have agreed that one of our priorities is to challenge the pay restraint across Local Govt. It looks likely that Unison will be consulting over a claim of around 5% increase based on the foundation living wage as the bottom pay point. Please note all timelines are subject to change and need to remain flexible due to the General Election that has been called on June 8th. Any delays will only mean longer leading time for the consultation. The GMB NJC pay consultation is live across England & Wales. Separate discussions will take place to assess what support we can offer to Northern Ireland & Scotland.
