NJC Pay 2013/14 – Branch Consultation Begins on Final Offer
NJC Pay 2013/14 – Branch Consultation Begins on Final Offer
At its meeting on 7 May 2013, the UNISON NJC Committee agreed to hold a formal consultation under the Service Group Pay Consultation Procedures on the Employers’ 2013/14 final NJC pay offer which is attached.
UNISON’s NJC Committee’s Views on the offer
The UNISON NJC Committee’s view is that the employers’ below-inflation pay offer (to view click here) falls far below the aspirations in our 2013-14 pay claim and what our members deserve. It means a further pay cut for our members after a three-year pay freeze. However, the Committee also believes that it is the best offer achievable by negotiation and that only sustained, all-out strike action can achieve an improved pay offer.
UNISON Branches are being asked to consult members on that basis and the Committee will be meeting on Thursday 13 June 2013 to consider the results of the consultation.
The NJC Trade Unions
At the meeting of the NJC Trade Union Side also held 7 May, it was agreed that all three unions will consult their members on the basis that the offer is the best achievable by negotiation. GMB and UNITE are finalising their consultation arrangements but anticipate ending their consultations by the beginning of July.
The Trade Union Side also reaffirmed its view that the negotiators should not negotiate over Part 2 conditions. It was strongly felt that the Employers’ ‘offer’ letter had misconstrued the trade unions’ approach to bargaining over conditions. We had been prepared to discuss a new ‘green’ travel policy and sickness absence management and other issues such as carers’ leave. Sadly, the employers had made it clear that any new conditions would not be included in the Green Book, that cuts to other conditions would have to be made to pay for them and that councils in the NJC who had already cut conditions would not be required to comply with any agreed new ones!!!! It is clear that they are living in a fantasy land in which they cannot confront the reality of the NJC’s ‘bargain basement’ conditions.
THE CONSULTATION PROCESS
It is vital that as many members as possible take part in the consultation on the 2013/14 offer.
Our branch will be carrying out an online ballot look out for our GO LIVE ballot notifications
We will be discussing the Pay Offer at our branch meeting on 21 May.