Dear members

Thank you for taking part in this year’s NJC Pay needs survey. This consultation is an important element of the pay cycle as it is your opportunity to tell GMB what you need and what you would like to see included in the pay claim.

The results from the survey were clear that for the majority of members the cost-of-living crisis continues and most feel worse off this year, compared to last. Many are facing extra costs in getting to work because of the introduction of ULEZ and new parking charges and high food, fuel and energy costs make it increasingly difficult to manage.

These issues contributed to members calling for an increase of at least the same as the rate of inflation and also for pay restoration to be factored in as part of the claim, especially as Local Government and School Support staff are the lowest paid within the public sector.

All Regions within GMB met to discuss the results of their surveys and to formulate the pay claim based on these. GMB then met with the other two recognised Unions for Local Government and School staff to put together a joint claim.

GMB’s took forward the claim set out below for discussion with the other Unions.

An increase of £3,000 or 10%, whichever is the greater, fully funded by the government.

• A clear plan to reach £15 per hour minimum rate by next year’s pay implementation date 2025.
• An additional day’s annual leave for personal / wellbeing purposes. For Term Time Only staff this equates to an additional day of leave to be taken during term time.
• An end to the current unfair term time only contract model, to ensure support staff receive the value and recognition they deserve.

GMB, Unison and Unite, met on 27^th February 2024 to discuss each unions’ proposed pay claim. Following thorough discussions and negotiations, a headline claim was agreed for the joint union pay claim. This claim has now been submitted to the Local Government Association and is detailed below.

NJC PAY CLAIM: 2024/25 An increase of at least £3,000 or 10% whichever is the greater. In addition: Reviews of the gender, ethnicity and disability pay gaps in local government. A 2-hour reduction in the working week with no detriment An additional day of annual leave for personal or well-being purposes (with term time only staff also receiving a full day rather than a pro rata amount, that they can use at any time, including term time) A phased approach to reaching a minimum pay rate of £15 an hour in a maximum of two years, sooner if possible.

Importantly, and as a priority of members, the pay claim calls for the case to be made to Government to fully fund any pay award.

Chief Executives will now be briefed on the joint union pay claim and GMB expect pay negotiations to commence in April. We will of course keep you updated.

If you would like a copy of the detailed pay claim, please contact your local GMB Representative or email schoolsteamlondon@gmb.org.uk

You may also be interested in GMB’s press release, highlighting the low pay and recruitment and retention crisis impacting schools One in face teaching assistant posts unfilled | GMB Union.

Kind regards

Lisa Bangs & Keith Williams

Posted: 5^th March 2024

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