UNISON Opposed to a pay FREEZE for Public Sector Staff!

Branch Consultation shows that UNISON members overwhelmingly want decent pay!

Thank you to all UNISON members who took part in our recent consultation on what our pay claim should be for 2021/2022.

UNISON, the largest public service union, has responded with dismay to news that the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, is considering the implementation of a pay freeze for public sector staff, including thousands of Coventry residents.

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said today (Friday):
‘Key workers across all public services remain at the heart of the fight against Covid…pay restraint …would be a cruel body blow to health, care, and public service employees working tirelessly to get us through the pandemic. It would also backfire badly with the public. The government must do what’s right next week and announce the wage rise all staff have more than earned. Anything less, risks destroying morale when the entire country is counting on them’.

The news comes as the Coventry City UNISON branch reveals that our members overwhelmingly voted for a 10% pay rise in an indicative consultation. This reflects real hardship for many public service staff, the impact of COVID-19 on hard-working families, and the continued negative influence of over a decade of austerity.

The results of the branch consultation on the 2021/2022 pay claim are below:
There were 3 options

A) 5% or £10 per hour pay rate whichever is greater
B) 8% or £10 per hour pay rate whichever is greater
C) 10%

Members voted as follows

A) 8.1%
B) 9.7%
C) 82.1%

Therefore we have reported back to the national union that our branch thinks the union should submit a claim for 10%.

Quite simply, our members deserve decent pay for providing vital public services.

Local Government Pay Award – #Coventry City Branch Update!

Thank you to everyone who took part in the recent #UNISON consultation over the 2.75 percent pay offer for 2020/21.

The results for our branch were 70 percent to Reject, 30 percent to Accept on a turnout of 22.2 percent. 

Our branch reported this as part of the national consultation being carried out by UNISON – with the results from branches and regions collated from around the country. Based on the overall returns, there was a majority to accept the offer. Therefore the pay offer has now been accepted. 

We urge the employer to ensure that this is reflected in our members wages as soon as possible.   The employer has updated us that it will be in members’ pay at the end of September.

Despite the offer being accepted, Coventry City UNISON still does not believe that this represented the best possible deal for our members and is why we urged members to reject. Pay in real terms has dropped by nearly 20 percent since 2010. Public services were vital during the height of Covid-19 and will be even more in demand over the coming months.

Therefore we believe we need to be putting the case strongly for a decent award from 2021. The best way for us to do this to build for strong workplace organisation and a stronger union to prepare to fight for our pay.

If you know colleagues who aren’t in UNISON, encourage them to join straight away!

UNISON Coventry City Branch
02476 550829
office@unisoncoventry.co.uk

Message for #Coventry City UNISON members – Make sure you vote now in the Pay consultation!

We have been receiving many responses to the consultation on the pay offer – we want to hear the views of all members, so don’t delay in getting yours in as soon as possible. 

Some FAQs – 

Q: What was our claim and what is the offer?

A: Our claim was 10%. This is in the context of our pay dropping in real terms by 20% in the last decade! So this was about starting to claw back some of what we have lost. The 2.75% barely scratches the surface and is not the pay our members deserve and that is why your branch is recommending that the offer is rejected. Whatever your view, make sure you vote to ensure your voice is heard.

Q: All well and good, but is the money there?

A: Public sector workers up and down the country have literally kept people alive during Covid-19 and as we face a huge economic crisis our services are going to become even more vital. Politicians clapped us – why won’t they reward us properly for the work we do? We are the 6th richest country in the world, this is about the work that we do being truly valued, or not.  Councils have had their money cut by central government and that is why UNISON has argued that their needs to be a big injection of funds for our services, and that includes our pay.

Q: Aren’t some public sector workers being offered 3.1%?

A: Yes, that is true! Teachers and some other public sector workers are being offered this. To be clear this is still not enough. But to the government, we aren’t even worth the same as others!

Q: Is this an industrial action ballot? 

A: No, this is over whether you think the offer is acceptable or not. 

Q: How long have I got left to vote?

A: The deadline is fast approaching, you have until 4pm on Friday 7th August. 

PAY CLAIM – Important Update for UNISON members

The Coventry City Branch of UNISON is asking all members to respond to the pay claim by voting on the offer. You should have received an email in with a link to allow you to respond and vote on the proposal. If you have not received this email please contact your local steward or branch office via the phone number or email address at the end of this message.

With a 20% loss in real pay since 2010 and with the effects of austerity on our workloads, we believe that our members deserve better than the employers offer.

Please watch our pay briefing if you didn’t see it on Monday evening and then take part in the ballot…

http://tinyurl.com/WatchAgain1307

Please let other members in your office know that we would like them to respond on this very important consultation and if you know people that are not Trade Union members then please encourage them to join UNISON and have their say.

Whilst there is no recommendation from the NJC committee about which way you should vote the branch believes that it is not a good deal for members.

VOTE NOW!

UNISON, Coventry City Branch
02476 550829
office@unisoncoventry.co.uk