Secretary's Corner
May 2008
Information on the Government’s proposal for a 3 year pay deal is now available to Unison members. Aside from mail shots being sent out to stations/departments, full details of the offer can also be found on the local branch, regional and national Unison websites as well as within this Newsletter. It is essential that members make themselves aware of what the offer entails as Unison will be balloting it’s members on whether to accept the offer or not. Ballot papers will be issued on the 15th May; the cut off date for ballot paper requests will be 3rd June with the ballot closing on the 6th June. Further information will be sent out with ballot papers.
The offer is worth 2.75%, 2.4% and 2.25% on pay and allowances over three years. There are also some peripheral adjustments to some of the lower bands and bands 5&6 which will raise the value of the offer slightly for some staff. It is important to mention that it would appear to give nothing extra for staff on the middle and top end of Band 4 – which is where our East of England Technicians currently find themselves.
You will also notice that there is a “reopener” clause attached to years 2 and 3 should inflation reach a high level, but historically these clauses have been notoriously difficult to activate should the need arise.
It is vital that every member uses their vote and carefully considers what they are voting for. A vote to accept the offer would mean a vote to accept a below-inflation increase for the first year and may in fact lead to below-inflation increases for the remaining 2 years; whilst a vote to reject the offer would almost certainly mean a vote to take part in some form of sustained and legal industrial action. Staff who are not in Unison or who are in any other union or association will not have the opportunity to vote, but by joining before the June cut off date they will have the chance to vote in this very important ballot. Any member who does not receive a ballot paper to their home address must contact Unison Direct on 0845 355 0845 immediately to ensure that their records are up to date.
Remember, this ballot will affect our pay for the next 3 years so make sure you USE YOUR VOTE.
On a slightly different note, this Branch will be launching a “Join a friend” initiative over the next few Months, which will allow members to win a tenner by simply signing up a friend or colleague into Unison. Look out for details dropping through a letterbox near you soon.
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