UNISON is holding a consultation of local government NJC members across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to decide whether we accept or reject the NJC Employer’s side offer of a 2.75% pay increase for 2019/20.
In the North West our Regional Service Group, made up of representatives from each branch, agreed to recommend to REJECT the offer.
To set out the reasons why NJC workers are worthy of fair recognition we have launched the First They Clap Us, Then They Slap Us campaign.
Throughout the pandemic local government workers, including thousands of UNISON members in Blackpool, have played a vital role in supporting people, communities and businesses and keeping essential local services going. From highly visible services such as bin collections, to less visible services such as processing benefit payments, to lifeline services such as preparing and delivering essential supplies to vulnerable and shielding residents, our members have shown the true spirit of public service and shone a light on the too-often-forgotten importance of local authority provision. As millions of people and politicians of all parties stood on doorsteps to applaud key workers we heard Government ministers say that local authorities would be “given what it takes”. We believe that has to translate to include fair recognition and a fair pay offer for our NJC members.
Which is why the 2.75% pay offer is a slap in the face for all NJC workers at this time. Here's just a few reasons why:
- Since 2010, the average loss of real pay value for a NJC worker is 22%. Years of pay freezes and below-inflation rises have eroded our pay substantially. The 2.75% pay increase doesn't even scratch the surface of the earnings we've lost. We are worth so much more.
- NJC workers have undertaken incredible work during this pandemic, going the extra mile then going again to keep schools open for vulnerable pupils, running key local services and often putting themselves at increased risk. If ever there was a time for fair recognition and a fair pay offer, that time is now.
- A fair pay rise is affordable. The money has been found for HS2, for upgrading Trident, for a £900,000 paint job for the Prime Minister’s plane and other Government vanity projects. Yet there is no money for us? It is simply a matter of priorities.
- MPs voted to give themselves a 3.1% pay rise- taking their basic pay to £82,000 per year, an increase of nearly £2,500. On top of that MPs voted themselves an extra £10,000 in ‘recognition of additional pandemic expenses’.
- A decent pay rise pays for itself - 50% of the total pay bill increase would be directly recouped through generating additional income tax, National Insurance, VAT and a reduction of in-work benefits payments – which all goes straight back to the Treasury. Extra cash in the pocket also means extra money spent in local shops and businesses to support other jobs. But there is no money for us? It is simply a matter of priorities.
From the 20th July we will be sending members who are on NJC terms and conditions either a ballot paper or, where possible, a link to vote online. Make sure you look out for it and Vote to REJECT the pay offer.
You can recive future consultation ballots via email. It saves the branch on postal and printing costs. To ensure that your voice is heard in this way, we need an up-to-date email address so we can contact you. Update your details online by visiting unison.org.uk/my-unison
