THE BUCKS COUNTY UNISON PAY CLAIM FOR 2011/12
UNISON is submitting the following claim for a pay increase for our members in 2011/12.
1. An increase of at least £250 on all salaries and spinal column points from the bottom of Range 5 to the top of Range 12.
2. An increase of at least £400 on all salaries and spinal column points from the bottom of Range 1A to the top of Range 4. UNISON believes that the Government’s proposal of £250 for those earning up to £21,000 is not a realistic increase for those living and working in Buckinghamshire.
3. A reduction in the standard working week to 35 hours without loss of pay.
4. An increase in the basic annual leave entitlement to 25 days per year for those who currently fall below this figure.
BACKGROUND TO THE CLAIM
Buckinghamshire County Council staff are vital in supporting the local community currently under stress. Buckinghamshire County Council should seek to preserve jobs, whilst recognising the work that employees have done to bring about widespread improvement through a modest pay rise.
The modest pay increase is affordable and in line with the Chancellor’s statement to the House of Commons on 22nd June 2010. “A two year pay freeze will be introduced from 2011/12 to Public Sector workforces, except for those earning £21,000 or less, who will receive an increase of at least £250 a year.”
The growing number of redundancies across Buckinghamshire County Council places greater strain on our members and has a direct negative impact on the local community and services.
A fair and modest settlement is affordable. The un-affordability argument generally put forward does not reflect the increased level of Buckinghamshire County Council reserves in recent years.
There is still widespread use and high expenditure on agency workers and consultants which does not make good sense in terms of good employment practice, service delivery and cost.
The recent economic situation, with inflation levels (RPI 4.6%, CPI 3.1%) has markedly increased the cost of living for local government workers and left many in debt.
Ongoing recruitment and retention difficulties could be largely overcome by a fair settlement this year, and in future years, which would also help to improve Buckinghamshire County Council’s current reputation in the employment market.
Over recent years, our members have experienced pay cuts in real terms. UNISON believes this has contributed to falling staff morale amongst employees, and a feeling of being undervalued at a time of heavy work pressure and job insecurity.
The latest Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development ‘Employee Outlook’ Survey found that public sector workers are the ones most likely to report that they are working under excessive pressure. The truth is that Buckinghamshire County Council employees provide vital services to our local community. Each redundancy or loss of staff is a direct cut in those services and local economies which elected Members have a responsibility for.
Our members are being expected to shoulder an unfair share of the current public expenditure cuts, whilst being forced to undergo unprecedented and often unnecessary levels of change within Buckinghamshire County Council. Buckinghamshire County Council will find the process of change far easier to undertake if our members believe they are being treated with a level of dignity and respect.
On ‘Dragons Den’ a certain gentlemen recently said, ‘If you have a problem don’t employ consultants, ask the people on the shop floor. They’ll give you the answers’. In this respect a closer dialogue with elected Members and Senior Management of Buckinghamshire County Council would be welcomed by UNISON regarding job stability, redeployment and avoidance of compulsory redundancy along with a desire to see a fair approach on all employment and staff issues
