UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
NJC Pay 2014 – 2015Have your say on local government pay
UNISON Local Government Service Group
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
NJC 2014-15 Pay Claim: Context NJC – the poor relation of the public sector Meagre1% NJC pay rise after 3 year pay freeze Widespread redundancies and cuts to terms and
conditions Local Government facing unprecedented funding
cuts – 40% by 2015 High profile pay campaign linked to possible
industrial action as part of wider strategy
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
UNISON Options for the ClaimTwo alternatives agreed by UNISON NJC Committee for consultation:
Option 1 – Living Wage (LW) hourly rate to be minimum pay rate, with an equivalent percentage increase on all other spinal column points
OR
Option 2 – Flat rate increase of £1/hour on all pay points which achieves the current Living Wage as bottom NJC spinal column point and a flat rate increase of £1/hour on all other spinal column points
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
An NJC claim based on the LWBoth options are designed to provide:
Sector wide – not local - bargaining to achieve LW
Maintenance of equal pay proofed single status structures
Prevention of new rash of equal pay litigation Clear focus for high profile campaign
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
What does Option 1 mean?A claim based on the Living Wage:
£1/hour on scp 5 = £7.45 – the outside London LW rate
Equivalent percentage increase for scp 6-49 Same increase throughout the pay spine Addresses poverty pay at bottom and relative
low pay throughout structure
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
What does Option 2 mean?A claim based on flat rate increase of £1 an hour £1/hour on new bottom NJC scp 5 of £6.45
brings it to current LW level of £7.45 outside London
Simple and also leaves grading structures intact But increases existing compression in middle
and higher pay grades unless extension to spine
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
Options Compared
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
What is the Living Wage? A wage sufficient to enable workers to live
decently and raise their families without hardship A benchmark figure currently set at £7.45/hour
outside London and £8.55/hour in London Below ‘official’ definition of poverty pay of
£7.47/hour – not a fortune Paid on a voluntary basis Updated each November LW employer expected to implement new rate
within 6 months of announcement
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
Where are we at with the Living Wage?
Small – but – increasing number of councils have adopted LW
Implementation methods vary Growing number of councils making pay awards
above NJC and including LW High proportion councils now considering LW Talk of LW common across LG – important
UNISON not lag behind Aim is to achieve LW through collective bargaining
and maintain single status pay structures
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
Why a LW claim this year: The Political Case
Growing public awareness and support for LW TUC considering LW in Local Government
campaign Think tank research continues to spotlight LW –
Compass/IPPR Living Wage Commission High level political support pledged from Labour
and supportive noises from Coalition
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
Why a LW claim this year:The Economic Case
Clear macro-economic case for LW: IFS study - benefits for the Treasury Queen Mary College research - multiple benefits
for employers
Economic benefits for local community because high proportions of LG workers live in areas they work and spend locally:
APSE and CLES research on LW & higher local spending – every £1 spent generates further 64p
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
Why a LW claim this year: The Moral Case
Local government – the only sector with large numbers of employees below LW
LW is below official poverty level of £7.47/hour Partnership working and transfer of public health
staff puts spotlight on low pay in local government
LW as means to tackle rising inequality falling income and impact of poverty
LW as positive impact on social cohesion, health and future wellbeing
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
Why a LW claim this year:The Recruitment & Organising Case
LW campaign provides clear focus and morale boost for LG employees, members and activists
Branches, activists and paid officials will need to engage very directly with members and non members to explain campaign and commitment to ending poverty pay in LG
Recruitment potential of high profile LW campaign is clear
Option 2 has major recruitment potential
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
Is a LW claim realistic? Councils and employers can’t have it both ways
– local implementation of LW but no – or low– NJC increases
Many councils want to address pay of middle and higher earners
Councils are leaving – or threatening to leave – NJC to do better deals with staff
LW will boost morale and productivity
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
Is a LW claim affordable? Local government pay bill has fallen for last 3
years in real terms and is now 23.09% lower In the last year the gross pay bill fell by 10% Many councils have significant reserves School funding has been protected - although
not inflation proofed The LGE has mooted a ‘clean up’ of the NJC
pay spine to get money into the system LG section is modelling implementation options
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
Your pay – your say Branches are asked to consult as widely as
possible – return results to regions by 4 October The UNISON NJC Committee will consider
results on 11 October GMB and UNITE are ending their consultations
to a similar timetable The NJC Trade Union Side will agree contents of
the claim on 15 October It’s time to end poverty pay in local government!
UNISON Local Government NJC Pay 2014-2015
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