www.wolverhampton-unison.org

Monday 16 February 2009

ACAS pay 2008 update

The oral hearing with the arbitration panel took place at ACAS on 10 February. The Trade Union Side presented our submission, followed by the employers. We argued that local government has treated NJC workers as 'poor relations' for a long time - failing to invest in pay, training and good conditions, while making over-the-odds efficiency savings and putting ever-larger off sums of money into reserves. We also pointed out that the local government settlement for the next three years will far exceed inflation if economic predictions are correct. The employers argued that pay offers had been constrained by Government pay policy and the cost of the LGPS and Single Status.

Each side asked the other questions and the panel asked questions too. They were particularly interested in unallocated reserves - which have increased significantly in the last few years, and whether they can be used for pay purposes. We agreed to provide them with further information on unallocated reserves as a proportion of revenue for
2007/8 and 2008/9. We have obtained this information and are now waiting for the employers to agree it so that it can be sent to the ACAS panel.

We don't have a date for the ACAS panel's response to our submission and will let you know as soon as we get it.