UNISON recommends acceptance of the final offer as the best achievable by negotiation

The key elements of the employers’ offer are summarised below:

Pay

• From 1 April 2009 an increase of 1.25% on SCPs 4 to 10 inclusive
• From 1 April 2009 an increase of 1.00% on SCPs 11 to 49 inclusive

Annual Leave

• From 1 April 2009, an increase from 20 to 21 days in minimum annual leave for employees with less than five years’ service.

 There are a number of issues that members need to consider before deciding whether to accept or reject the offer. Below are the main considerations taken by the UNISON NJC Committee in forming their recommendation:-

While the level of the offer may disappoint members it does improve on the employers’ initial offer of 0.5%. The employers have clearly stated that the improved offer will be removed from the table if it’s not accepted.

Improvement on the initial offer only took place after hard bargaining by UNISON. Many employer representatives wanted to offer you nothing; they voiced concerns over the worsening economic situation and were unhappy over the recent ACAS award.

The industrial action last year has also affected members’ willingness to take action, made worse by real financial hardship for many of our members. Even though members felt slighted by the initial 0.5% offer, few branches have reported a willingness to undertake strike action.

The other NJC trade unions; Unite is recommending acceptance of the offer as the best achievable by negotiation, the GMB’s position will be known on 11 August

If the offer is not accepted, the employers will not impose the offer and therefore members will not receive a pay increase for 2009/10.

UNISON will develop a hard-hitting campaign for next year and beyond which highlights the value of local government workers and local services, challenges efficiencies and builds the campaign for improved pay and conditions leading up to next year’s pay negotiations.

In light of the above UNISON recommends that members accept the final offer as the best achievable by negotiation. Make sure you take part in the branch consultation on the offer. The results of the branch consultation will be collated and will be considered along with all other branch returns at a meeting of the UNISON NJC committee on 9 September.