Council unions make progress
(27/10/08) Trade unions representing more than a million council workers in England, Northern Ireland and Wales have taken another step towards resolving the long running local government pay dispute.Final settlement of the deal will depend on the results of arbitration, which both sides are waiting for. However, last week saw an initial meeting with employers and ACAS to agree the terms of reference.The unions are hoping to hold further talks this week.UNISON head of local government Heather Wakefield said that the union believes that it has a strong case for a fairer deal for local government staff, and is hopeful for an early decision from ACAS.A full report on progress will be given to a joint trade union meeting on 3 November.Meanwhile, local government workers are still on track to get a 2.45% interim pay rise before Christmas -- agreed by employers earlier this month to help those struggling to cope with rising costs.
A fair deal for local government workers
Monday, October 27, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Lib Dems slam public sector pensions
The Liberal Democrats have backed a report calling on public sector final salary pension schemes to be axed. The study was produced by pensions analysts at Hargreaves Lansdowne who claim that funding public sector pension liabilities will place a growing burden on the state. They say the best solution is to make public sector pensions less generous: "Instead of having a garannteed income in retirement,public sector workers should have "defined contribution" pensions."
Projections showed the change would mean future public sector pensioners would have smaller pensions than their counterparts today. Jenny Willott, the Lib Dem pensions spokeswoman, backed the call for public sector pensions to be reformed, saying "It is unfair and irresponsible to keep heaping this burden on future generations"
The Liberal Democrats have backed a report calling on public sector final salary pension schemes to be axed. The study was produced by pensions analysts at Hargreaves Lansdowne who claim that funding public sector pension liabilities will place a growing burden on the state. They say the best solution is to make public sector pensions less generous: "Instead of having a garannteed income in retirement,public sector workers should have "defined contribution" pensions."
Projections showed the change would mean future public sector pensioners would have smaller pensions than their counterparts today. Jenny Willott, the Lib Dem pensions spokeswoman, backed the call for public sector pensions to be reformed, saying "It is unfair and irresponsible to keep heaping this burden on future generations"
Council workers get interim pay rise
(17/10/08) Local government workers in England, Northern Ireland and Wales are set to get an interim pay rise to tide them over Christmas.UNISON today confirmed that the employers have agreed to the union's request for a 2.45% pay rise for staff, with an extra £100 for the lowest paid, backdated to April.The increase is an interim measure – final settlement of this year's pay award is awaiting the results of arbitration.UNISON head of local government Heather Wakefield welcomed the employers' decision to pay the uplift backdated to April."With Christmas just around the corner, 2.45% will bring some comfort to local government workers struggling to cope with the rising cost of everyday essentials," she said.She added: "UNISON believes we have a strong case for a fairer deal for local government staff, which we are taking to ACAS for arbitration, and we are hopeful for an early decision."Members should receive the pay rise and back pay in their November pay packets.Trade unions will meet with the employers again on 23 October to discuss the terms of reference for arbitration.
More details in Pay news bulletin 21 (PDF)
(17/10/08) Local government workers in England, Northern Ireland and Wales are set to get an interim pay rise to tide them over Christmas.UNISON today confirmed that the employers have agreed to the union's request for a 2.45% pay rise for staff, with an extra £100 for the lowest paid, backdated to April.The increase is an interim measure – final settlement of this year's pay award is awaiting the results of arbitration.UNISON head of local government Heather Wakefield welcomed the employers' decision to pay the uplift backdated to April."With Christmas just around the corner, 2.45% will bring some comfort to local government workers struggling to cope with the rising cost of everyday essentials," she said.She added: "UNISON believes we have a strong case for a fairer deal for local government staff, which we are taking to ACAS for arbitration, and we are hopeful for an early decision."Members should receive the pay rise and back pay in their November pay packets.Trade unions will meet with the employers again on 23 October to discuss the terms of reference for arbitration.
More details in Pay news bulletin 21 (PDF)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Inflation hits 5.2%
(14/10/08) UNISON has renewed its call for the government to drop the unfair squeeze on public service pay following the latest rise in inflation.Figures out today show consumer inflation has soared to 5.2%, with higher gas and electricity bills causing much of the increase.However, care workers, nurses, teaching assistants and road sweepers don’t have to see the figures to know that costs have risen at an unprecedented rate, said UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis."They feel it where it hurts every time they do the family shop, fill up their car, or see another red bill come through the letterbox."The government has taken bold action to rescue the banks; it should now support the army of public sector workers who play a vital role in our local communities, and drop the unfair squeeze on their pay," he said.The latest increase in inflation strengthens the case to reopen the NHS pay deal, Mr Prentis said, pointing out that the agreed rise will leave health workers with a pay cut for next year.Local government workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are also looking for a fair deal as they take their case to arbitration, he said, adding: "With each rise in inflation, our case for higher pay for both these vital groups of staff grows stronger." National Statistics inflation page
(14/10/08) UNISON has renewed its call for the government to drop the unfair squeeze on public service pay following the latest rise in inflation.Figures out today show consumer inflation has soared to 5.2%, with higher gas and electricity bills causing much of the increase.However, care workers, nurses, teaching assistants and road sweepers don’t have to see the figures to know that costs have risen at an unprecedented rate, said UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis."They feel it where it hurts every time they do the family shop, fill up their car, or see another red bill come through the letterbox."The government has taken bold action to rescue the banks; it should now support the army of public sector workers who play a vital role in our local communities, and drop the unfair squeeze on their pay," he said.The latest increase in inflation strengthens the case to reopen the NHS pay deal, Mr Prentis said, pointing out that the agreed rise will leave health workers with a pay cut for next year.Local government workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are also looking for a fair deal as they take their case to arbitration, he said, adding: "With each rise in inflation, our case for higher pay for both these vital groups of staff grows stronger." National Statistics inflation page
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
A half point cut is not enough, says TUC
Commenting on the half percentage point cut in interest rates, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
'While we welcome the international co-ordination that has brought simultaneous cuts in the UK, Europe and the USA, a half per cut is simply not enough.
'The inflationary threat is melting away, and the question now is how deep and long the slowdown will be.
'A deep cut in rates would not simply provide important help to businesses and mortgage payers, but also help end the financial crisis as it would make risky and insecure loans much more likely to be repaid.
'The Chancellor was right to remind the Bank that they have a remit to back government economic policy. A half per cent cut is not enough to support today's finance package.'
Commenting on the half percentage point cut in interest rates, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
'While we welcome the international co-ordination that has brought simultaneous cuts in the UK, Europe and the USA, a half per cut is simply not enough.
'The inflationary threat is melting away, and the question now is how deep and long the slowdown will be.
'A deep cut in rates would not simply provide important help to businesses and mortgage payers, but also help end the financial crisis as it would make risky and insecure loans much more likely to be repaid.
'The Chancellor was right to remind the Bank that they have a remit to back government economic policy. A half per cent cut is not enough to support today's finance package.'
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Unions appeal for quick resolution to pay dispute
(01/10/08) Local government workers have a right to expect a pay increase by Christmas, says UNISON.The union has joined the GMB and Unite in urging ACAS to begin arbitration as soon as possible to resolve the long-standing dispute over pay in England, Northern Ireland and Wales."UNISON is extremely disappointed at the employers' refusal to make a fair pay offer and has been left with little choice but arbitration," said Heather Wakefield, the union's head of local government."With the cost of everyday essentials rising by the day, our members cannot afford to take another pay cut," she said."Local government workers have a right to expect a pay increase by Christmas, and UNISON will be presenting solid evidence to ACAS to back up our claim."The union will also be keeping a watchful eye on the number of redundancies coming through from local councils, Ms Wakefield added."We will all suffer if local services do not have enough staff to run them efficiently."
A fair deal for local government workers
(01/10/08) Local government workers have a right to expect a pay increase by Christmas, says UNISON.The union has joined the GMB and Unite in urging ACAS to begin arbitration as soon as possible to resolve the long-standing dispute over pay in England, Northern Ireland and Wales."UNISON is extremely disappointed at the employers' refusal to make a fair pay offer and has been left with little choice but arbitration," said Heather Wakefield, the union's head of local government."With the cost of everyday essentials rising by the day, our members cannot afford to take another pay cut," she said."Local government workers have a right to expect a pay increase by Christmas, and UNISON will be presenting solid evidence to ACAS to back up our claim."The union will also be keeping a watchful eye on the number of redundancies coming through from local councils, Ms Wakefield added."We will all suffer if local services do not have enough staff to run them efficiently."
A fair deal for local government workers
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