As reported previously, UNISON members working within local government voted to accept the 2022/2023 pay offer from the employers, following a membership consultation. The result was 67% to accept, and 33% to reject.
The offer has now been agreed by our sister unions and the employer has confirmed that they will get the backdated pay into the November payroll.
All employees are to receive a £1,925 pay rise and this will be backdated to 1 April 2022.
All employees regardless of their current leave entitlement or length of service will receive a permanent increase of one day to their annual leave entitlement from 1 April 2023.
Please note that colleagues who have left Coventry City Council since April 1st, 2022, won't automatically get their backpay – they will need to contact Payroll and request it, so if you are aware of people in this position, please pass on this information.
We would like to thank all members who took part in the consultation as it helped inform the outcome. We do want to encourage and urge more members to take part in future ballots and consultations. This is our union, and we want everyone to have a say – Your opinion matters!
The value of being in UNISON
The offer was significantly higher than in previous years and it shows the value of being organised in a trade union. Without being in a union, the employer would have been unlikely to make any sort of offer and certainly nothing like the one they made. The thought of several hundred thousand council workers joining the current strike wave would have undoubtedly filled them with dread, compelling them to come up with a better than usual offer. It is worth remembering that this was just their first offer so we should consider what else could have been won.
Larger than normal, but still below inflation
Though it is a larger than normal offer, we also have to say that it is still below the current level of inflation and does not make up for effective pay cuts since 2010. When we read of BP and Shell making over £8 billion in profits, we absolutely know the money is there!
Therefore, we need to turn our attention to the next pay round and get far better organised and prepared in order to win more pay. This should involve all members and we need everyone to think about how they can help.
Pay Claim 2023/24…
Let's organise now for the next pay claim – what you can do to help!
UNISON is keen to submit the claim for 2023/24 in January. Our members as well as those of other trade unions in other sectors are currently taking action or balloting for action. If we join, and work together, we can force the employers to pay up.
But we know to get a rise at least in line with inflation, we need to get better organised. We need more council workers to be in UNISON and for all of us to think about getting involved. We need more members to be aware of what is happening with the pay campaign and what they can do to make a difference.
We urge all members to consider doing the following:
- Recruit at least one colleague to UNISON using this link https://join.unison.org.uk/
- Become a 'pay contact' for your workplace/section. This means helping us get communications and information out to people in your team, and keeping them up to date with what is going on. Could YOU become a pay contact for UNISON? If so, get in touch!
IMPORTANT information if you are in receipt of Universal Credit…
Important advice for members who are in receipt of Universal Credit, please read carefully.
We have received a number of queries about the impact of the backdated pay award on members in receipt of Universal Credit.
UNISON's position is that all backpay from 1 April 2022 should be paid as soon as possible. However, where requested, we are asking employers to engage sympathetically with employees who are in receipt of Universal Credit if they need to arrange for the back pay to be staggered.
This should only be done if requested by the employee and will be to minimise any future reduction of Universal Credit payments. Such arrangements may vary from individual to individual and paying the back pay over a couple of months should only be implemented at the request of an employee.
This guidance aims to answer two main questions relating to Universal Credit payments…
What should you do if your Universal Credit payments fall or stop as a result of the back pay?
The guidance document below gives initial advice and signposts helpful links.
UC_and_Back_Pay_Information.pdf
Does the size of the backpay mean I would be better off asking for my backpay to be staggered?
Our advice is that this is generally not the case and that backpay is paid as soon as possible.
In circumstances where two members of the same household are in receipt of Universal Credit and EACH receive full back pay, you should use the online benefits calculator at https://unison.entitledto.co.uk to check how you are affected. You may wish to consider whether you need to request that the employer staggers back pay for one or both of you.
See the full guidance document >UC_and_Back_Pay_Information.pdf
Strengthen Our Union...
When it comes to Trade Unions, the more members who join, the stronger we can be.
We are the UK's largest Trade Union with over 1.3 million members but growing that strength is vital. We ask all our members to simply talk to their colleagues about UNISON, the benefits membership offers, and to encourage them to join if they are not already a member.
Recruit just 1 member and we are already stronger!
There are many benefits of UNISON membership including opportunities to attend national conferences. To find out more and to join online today, simply click the link below.
Join UNISON
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