2007 NJC PAY CLAIM
Thursday, 10 May 20072007 NJC England, Wales and Northern Ireland Pay Claim - Update on pay negotiations
Discussions on this year's pay claim are continuing following the NJC unions' rejection of the employers' offer of 2%. The unions have told the Employer that this offer is "insulting and demeaning".
Local authorities are arguing that they have not budgeted for a rise of more than 2% but we have told the Employer that the rise in inflation - it now stands at 4.8% - means that local government workers face above inflation increases in the cost of housing, fuel and energy, council tax and childcare alone. The employers' offer is effectively a pay cut.
Between 2004 and 2007 local government pay rose by only 8.9% but average earnings grew by 12.4% and inflation by 9.3%. The national minimum wage will increase to £5.52/hour in October edging ever closer to the bottom NJC rate of £5.80.
It is essential that all branches engage with their employer at a local level on the 2007 pay claim. Branches are urged to lobby their employer. Make sure that the NJC claim is put on the agenda and discussed in negotiating meetings with your employer and that you provide feedback on what the authority's position is on the pay claim.
A copy of the stewards' briefing outlining the claim and our arguments is available at: http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/paycampaign.asp