Dear colleagues
Apologies to those of you who received an earlier version of this email yesterday. Unfortunately some of you were left off the distribution list, so I am re-sending it. If you got the email yesterday, please see this one as a reminder to vote!
As promised, I am writing to keep you informed about the progress of pay negotiations. Your reps met with management at ACAS yesterday and received the following offer:· Extend the increased mileage rates for 12 months· One off £700 cost of living payment for staff up pay point 30, and spot rate equivalent, to be paid in January 2023 if acceptance is in place by payroll cut off date.
Your Unite team feels that this offer fails on two vital points: it’s not enough, and the extra pay is for one year only. The real terms pay cut we suffered in 2021/22 was permanent. As the pay increase was 1.75% and the rate of inflation by the end of that year was more than 10%, the buying power of our wages fell for that year and all subsequent years. We need it to be put right into the future, not just for one year.
Unite put forward a compromise suggestion of £2,000 per year for each worker from 1/4/21 onwards, which is less than the members’ initial request and an attempt to find some middle ground. We are ready to compromise further but the Executive Team must do better than they have done so far.
We are keen to reach agreement and avert a strike, but the lack of a long-term offer is the key sticking point. We are therefore recommending that you vote to reject this offer.
Please use this link to vote www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/W5SRMTP. It is extremely important that you vote – whether you want to accept or reject – so that the views of all members are taken into account. The closing date for the ballot is noon on 22 December.
Please vote now, while it’s on your mind. It will take less than a minute.
We will be holding a members’ meeting very soon to discuss our next steps. If you have any questions, please contact me or any member of the Unite reps’ team.
Best wishes
Jacob
Jacob Sanders
St Mungo’s Unite Convenor
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