Pay consultative ballot results
The consultative ballot on pay closed on Friday 29th July. We thank all our members who voted, attended the pay presentations and spoke to colleagues about the pay offer. We had a tremendous response, 60% of our membership returned their ballots and we can report that 85% of those who responded have rejected the 2.5% pay offer from South Cambridgeshire District Council. This sends a clear and unanimous message to South Cambridgeshire District Council that they need to do better and that we need more #weneedmore
We can also report that our friends in the GMB union have also unanimously rejected the 2.5% pay offer.
Here is a reminder of the now rejected offer from your employer
“Our (SCDC’s) proposal is that we make an across the board 2.5% increase consolidated into pay, and also grant those colleagues at Grades 1 through 4 an additional fixed payment not consolidated into pay of £750”
The table above gives a snapshot of the number of people in each grade, shows the average salary at each grade and the resulting additional pay occasioned by the 2.5% increase, the additional fixed amount and then goes on to give an indication of the gross total that a FTE would receive as a result of these two elements. This table is for general guidance only. It does not include numbers of casual staff and the additional pay occasioned by the 2.5% increase will obviously vary for each individual within that band depending on what SCP they are currently at and the number of hours they work.
Pay negotiations continue
The trade unions will now meet with your employer on the 02 August, to discuss the results and next steps in our negotiations. As a reminder we asked for:
“A flat rate of £2,000 on all pay points will give all staff an above inflation increase that will favour the lower grades in percentage increase.”
Latest Development
In response to the rejection of the 2.5% pay offer by trade union members we have been contacted by South Cambridgeshire District Council in advance of our meeting with a counter offer. The initial details of the counter-offer are as follows:
“An increase of £1925 on basic salary for colleagues on Grade 1 and above.
For apprentices (generally our lowest paid colleagues) we propose an increase in hourly rate from £6.00 per hour to £8.50.”
Staff Consultation Meetings
Following the success of the last round of staff consultation meetings, we have decided to run two extra meetings to discuss this new counter offer. This UNISON will discuss plans for the next steps on the pay campaign and staff members will have a chance to discuss their views on the counter offer.
Please click on the button below to copy the link and put it in your calendar or join the meeting on the day.
What happens next?
This week we met with the employer to discuss the counter offer. They are now taking the strong on vote into consideration and will get back to us. Once we have an up date from the employer, we will then put this offer to you again in a postal ballot and you will get to decide whether the offer is acceptable or not. Once again, only trade union members will get a vote in this. If you know anyone who is not a trade union member then you need to speak to them and encourage them to join so they get a vote! If you didn’t use your vote in the previous consultation on the original 2.5% offer, then I urge you to please use your vote on this offer.
If you did not receive your previous ballot then it is probably because your contact details need updating. Please visit MyUnison and check your details are correct.
In the meantime if you have any questions please email your branch at unison@cambridge.gov.uk We will contact you in due course and will set up further meetings to discuss the counter-offer and the next round of the consultative ballot.
Why the current offer is not enough!
• Council workers have endured a decade of pay freezes and below average pay awards
• Local government workers have lost on average 27.5% from the value of their pay spine since 2010
• They are experiencing the fastest fall in living standards since the 1950s
• Inflation is forecast to peak at over 10% this year
• 78% of councils are experiencing some form of recruitment and retention difficulties
Thank you to everyone who attended our pay meetings
On the 12th and 14th of July, UNISON held two meetings so that staff members could discuss their views on pay. It was great starting point for us to kick off our pay campaign and make sure that interested staff members had a briefing on how the pay award works.
Special thanks to Sheila for helping to promote the events on the staff intranet which got 100s of views.
Unfortunately, UNISON doesn't allow the recording of teams meetings. Our work around had very poor sound quality so did decided not to publish it. If you do have any follow up questions though please email unison@cambridge.gov.uk
Email Your Councillor
Your local Councillors in South Cambridgeshire can have a big impact influencing the employer about your pay. As your elected representatives it is their job to represent their constituents views and get their issues resolved. We need them to know how you feel about the real terms pay cut (the current pay offer) and the good work that you do for the communities they are representing.
Please email your councillor and convince them to use their influence to support the pay claim. We’ve created a ready to send email that you can send at the click of a button.
Get involved in the Campaign
We are keen to get everyone who is passionate about this involved in the campaign. You can do this by downloading the leaflets and posters and sharing them with your colleagues, getting your colleagues to join or becoming a rep.
Follow us on Social Media
Use the #weneedmore on social media