It was a cold, dark morning and as I sat eating my overly thick porridge, my mind started wandering to happy times…..the beach, the sea, the blue sky and ….the Local Government 2016/17 pay award! 

 

 

It was a cold, dark morning and as I sat eating my overly thick porridge, my mind started wandering to happy times…..the beach, the sea, the blue sky and ….the Local Government 2016/17 pay award! 

 

“So where are we with that?”  I hear you cry.  Well, not much further on than we were at my last blog on the subject. As the unions have been consulting their members there has been a delay which has just worsened this week. GMB have voted to accept the offer but Unison and Unite have voted against.  The Government are keen to point out that the offer made was the “FINAL ONE”.  

 

At the moment it’s a bit of a stalemate and further national discussions are due to take place over the next few weeks.

 

The Government by saying “FINAL” were assuming that the offer would be accepted without question. A little naïve maybe?

 

Therefore any employer applying NJC pay scales will now have to just proceed with increases to the lower points (Scale points 6 – 8) to meet the requirements of the National Living Wage.

 

As far as the pay award is concerned (you will remember it was a two year deal) when it will happen is a good question. Hopefully within the next couple months but there are no guarantees. How do you plan for it?  Well we are reminded, it is a “FINAL” offer, so with budget planning, work on the  basis of the offer as it is unlikely to change.