Latest information from UNISON [1] is that unions representing a quarter of a million workers in Further Education have rejected a pay offer worth 2.5%:
According to the UNISON statement:
They are seeking a pay rise of 6% or £1,500 – whichever is the greater – to guarantee the lowest-paid workers a minimum wage of £7.38.
However, the employers have come back with an offer of 2.5%.
“It is just not enough,” said joint trade union side secretary and UNISON national officer Chris Fabby. “We reject this offer outright.”
“This year our members have been struggling to cope with huge hikes in the cost of essentials like fuel, food and housing.
“The employers must get back around the negotiating table with a more realistic offer,” he stressed.
“We need a fairer deal for the low paid who can earn as little as £12,738 a year.”
Under the proposals for the three year NHS pay deal which is being put to UNISON members very soon in a consultation ballot, the starting salary for NHS staff in band 1 for the coming year will be £12,517.