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Fair Pay for Local Government Workers

5 February 2013

NEW

Branches to meet again after new talks
Local Government Branches meeting on 1 February heard that pay talks held with the employers on 24 January brought no progress but further talks were scheduled for 5 February. Branches decided to reconvene after that to hear a report on any progress before deciding the way forward.

Branch after branch reported their members' growing anger at the attacks on living stadards.

Stephanie Herd, UNISON Scottish Local Government Chair, said: “While the Living Wage element is welcome, the offer falls below what is needed to keep pace with inflation.

“Local Government workers have gone through a pay freeze at a time when inflation averaged 5%, food prices have been going up by 7% a year and energy prices by 15%.”

On the table is an offer of 1% from 1 April 2013. If after the 1% is applied, there are staff who fall below the ‘Living Wage’, this would be brought up to £7.50 an hour from 1 April this year.

PAY FACT: If the minimum wage had increased, since its introduction in 1999, at the same annual rate as the pay of FTSE 100 Chief executives, it would have reached £18.89 per hour this year instead of £6.19. We are clearly not 'all in this together'.
www.onesociety.org.uk

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30 November 2012

PAY OFFER: Negotiators to seek more talks and ballot to follow in January 2013.

Local Government branches met on 30 November and heard that Local Government employers had made an offer of 1% from 1 April 2013. If after the 1% is applied, there are staff who fall below the 'Living Wage', this will be brought up to £7.50 an hour from 1 April 2013. The offer also calls for a 'working party' on pay for 2014/15 and on 'flexible and adaptable' working practices.

While the 'Living Wage' elements is welcome, the offer falls below what is needed to keep pace with inflation. Local Government workers have gone through a pay freeze at a time when inflation averaged 5%, food prices have been going up by 7% a year and energy prices by 15%.

The offer was made outside the normal bargaining procedures and negotiators will seek, along with the other unions, to open proper negotiations and consult members via a ballot in January 2013. They will return to a Recall Conference on 11th Jan to report on progress. Branches are urged to call workplace meetings to brief members and get their feedback.

Date: Thu 22 November 2012
UNISON Scotland comment on local government pay offer

**** Sign the online Fair Pay petition: Click here ****


Fair Pay Day - Android Tablet Winners

27 June was Fair Pay Day to publicise our campaign to fight for fair pay in local government. To celebrate this there were two Android tablet computers up for grabs for City of Edinburgh Branch members only.

The first two correct winners drawn by Finance stewards with branch office staff were: Noel Jeffery, Chesser House Contact Centre, and Ian McAndrew, Chesser House.

The answers were

Question 1: How much is the Living Wage?
Answer 1: £7.20

Question 2: By how much, on average, have energy prices increased over the last two years?
Answer 2: 15%

Question 3: Why do pay freezes affect lower paid workers most?
Answer 3: Because a higher percentage of their monthly wage now goes on these necessities.

Question 4: What is the pay claim being made by the trade unions?
Answer 4: A minimum Living Wage of £7.20 and for a £1,000 flat payment for all staff - £500 for last year and £500 for this year.

Pay Freeze Must Thaw

Local Government workers are now the poor relations of the public sector. We are in the second year of a centrally imposed pay freeze and the lowest paid haven't even been given the £250 increase promised by the Scottish Government.

Inflation over the last 2 years has run at an average of 5% and effectively means a pay cut for our members. Necessities like food and energy have increased by 7% and 15% respectively. This affects lower workers more because a higher percentage of their monthly wage now goes on these necessities. This means they have less money left at the end of the month - and many are struggling to cope.

UNISON, along with Unite and GMB, are calling on Councils to pay a minimum Living Wage of £7.20 and for a £1,000 flat payment for all staff - £500 for last year and £500 for this year. This will massively help families who are really struggling to keep their heads above water in these difficult times. It will also help local economies - for every £1 paid to a public sector worker 76p goes back into the local economy.

Local government workers are not to blame for the current economic crisis. It's unjust and unreasonable to expect us to pay for the budget cuts while those who caused the crisis continue to get big pay packets and fat bonuses. All workers deserve fair pay - employers can't keep cutting budgets and expect the lowest paid to fill the gap.

If you want further information about the campaign or would like to get involved then please contact your local steward or the branch office on 0131 558 7488.

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