Posted on: 22 August 2024
Dear GMB Craft Worker,
Further to the recent ballot in respect of this year’s pay offer you will recall that the GMB submitted its pay claim for Local Government Craft Workers in April 2024.
Our claim was for
In response the employers made the following, full and final one-year (1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025) offer:
In an indicative ballot of members that closed on 12th July 2024, 60.5% of members voted to reject the offer and 39.5% voted to accept – the turnout was 36%.
On 23 rd July we held further talks with the employers advising them of our rejection and asking them to revisit their offer. They simply reiterated that the offer was full and final and they will not improve it.
Your officers and representatives are therefore asking you whether you are prepared to take industrial action to pursue the claim and a ballot paper is enclosed for you to complete and return.
In order to take lawful industrial action we must achieve a 50% Yes vote by at least 50% of those entitled to vote. If we do not meet this threshold we will have no option but to accept the offer
It is very important that you have your say on pay so make sure you use your vote.
The ballot closes at 12 noon on Friday 27th September 2024
The ballot is being run by your Regional Office, please contact them directly for further details
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CRAFT WORKERS PAY 2024 – OFFER REJECTEDPosted on: 17 July 2024
Further to my bulletin of May 2024 you will be aware that the GMB submitted its pay claim for Local Government Craft Workers to employers in April.
Our claim was for
In response the employers made the following, full and final one-year (1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025) offer:
GMB held an indicative ballot of members with a neutral recommendation which closed last Friday 12 th July 2024.
On a 36% turnout GMB Local Government Craft Workers have 60.5% of members voted to reject the offer and 39.5% voted to accept.
I have advised the employers of our position and we will be holding further talks with them next Tuesday 23 rd July. I shall advise you of the outcome of the talks as soon as practicable after that date.
Local Government Craft Workers Pay 2024Posted on: 20 May 2024
GMB submitted its pay claim for Local Government Craft Workers in March. In response the National Employers have made the following, full and final one-year (1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025) offer in respect of those employees whose pay is determined by contractual reference to the Craft JNC National Agreement (‘Red Book’), as follows:
“For all Craft JNC employees (regardless of job title and designation) whose rate of pay differs from the salaries set out in the Craft JNC 2023 pay agreement circular (dated 16 November 2023), but is still contractually linked to the annual settlement reached by the Craft JNC, the Employers’ final offer is as follows:
For those few Craft employees who are paid the specific annual salaries as set out in the Craft JNC 2022 pay agreement, the Employers’ full and final offer is as follows:
With effect from 1 April 2024:
These increases would continue the principle agreed by the JNC in the 2016-18 agreement to align the five Craft Grades to current pay points 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively on the NJC ‘Green Book’ pay spine.”
Other elements of the claim:
Working week (A reduction to 35 hrs (34 in London))
The Employers rejected this element of the claim stating that such a reduction would be out of line with norms in local government and would result in an increase in costs that would adversely affect local authority services.
Increase in Annual leave
The Employers have rejected this element of the claim stating that all Craft employees currently receive a minimum of 22 days’ leave, plus two extra statutory days, with a further four days after five years’ service (28 days). This is equitable to NJC employees’ minimum annual leave entitlement of 28 days (after five years’ service). Many councils have a more generous basic leave entitlement for both groups of employees.
Tool Allowance and Tool Insurance
The Employers’ offer is set out above i.e. that tool allowance is increased by 2.5% with effect from 1 April 2024. Similarly, in relation to tool insurance, the Employers’ offer is that it is increased by 2.5% with effect from 1 April 2024.
Use of Technology
The Employers consider the use of technology to be an increasingly common practice in the modern workplace that does not merit additional recompense nor a new national agreement. Therefore, the Employers reject this element of the claim.
GMB will commence consultation on this offer as soon as practicable
Local Government Craft Workers Pay Claim 2024Posted on: 18 April 2024
Following a recent survey of GMB Craft Worker members we have worked with other Trade Unions who represent Local Government Craft Workers and compiled the attached joint pay claim
We have submitted the claim to the employers and we are expecting a response in the first week of May
We shall course advise you as soon as we receive their response
CRAFT WORKERS' PAY SCALES 2023Posted on: 16 November 2023
Further to my earlier bulletin please find via the link below the revised pay scales for Local Government Craft Workers following our acceptance of the offer.
Employers have been encouraged to implement this pay award as swiftly as possible.
GMB National Officer
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CRAFT WORKERS PAY 2023 – OFFER ACCEPTEDPosted on: 15 November 2023
You will be aware that the GMB submitted an above inflation pay claim for Local Government Craft Workers in February 2023.
We also asked for:
Recruitment and Retention Payment (RRP)
In response the Employers made a one-year (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024) offer of;
They rejected all other elements of the claim.
We advised the employers that this was not acceptable to us and at a second meeting we urged them to improve the offer. They did not do so, simply confirming that this is a full and final offer.
We therefore carried out an indicative ballot of our members who, on a turnout of 57% rejected the offer by 59% to 41%. However, in the formal disaggregated ballot for Industrial Action that followed the indicative ballot we only reached the threshold for action in one depot.
Following a meeting on Tuesday 13th November representatives and officers took the view that action by one depot alone would not provide enough leverage to force the employers to improve the offer. Also the current cost of living crisis and the impending festive season had led to members wanting early payment of the award and arrears.
The meeting therefore agreed that the ballot had presented us with a welcome organising and recruitment opportunity, but the time was right to now advise employers of our acceptance of the award. We did so earlier today.
The meeting also agreed that pay talks and organising opportunities should commence earlier in 2024 and we agreed therefore to meet again in January to discuss our approach.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CRAFT WORKERS PAY 2023Posted on: 21 August 2023
You will be aware that the GMB submitted an above inflation pay claim for Local Government Craft Workers in February 2023.
We also asked for:
In response the Employers made a one-year (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024) offer of;
Regarding the other elements of the claim they stated:
We advised the employers that this was not acceptable to us and at a second meeting we urged them to improve the offer. They did not do so, simply confirming that this a full and final offer.
We therefore carried out an indicative ballot of our members who, on a turnout = 57%, rejected the offer by 59% to 41%.
Next Steps
We will now move to a disaggregated industrial action ballots of GMB craft workers following the same timeline as the National NJC Ballot i.e. the Ballot will open on 12th September and close on the 24th October. More details are available from your Regional Office.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CRAFT WORKERS PAY 2023Posted on: 13 June 2023
You will be aware that the GMB submitted an above inflation pay claim for Local Government Craft Workers in February 2023.
We also asked for:
In response the Employers made a one-year (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024) offer of;
Regarding the other elements of the claim they stated:
We advised the employers that this was not acceptable to us and at a second meeting we urged them to improve the offer. They did not do so, simply confirming that this a full and final offer.
We therefore carried out an indicative ballot of our members who, on a turnout = 57%, rejected the offer by 59% to 41%.
Next Steps
We will now move to industrial action ballots of GMB craft workers. More details and a timeline will follow in the coming weeks.
This is another organising opportunity where we can utilise the ballot to enter workplaces and build Red Book membership.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CRAFT WORKERS PAY 2023Posted on: 17 May 2023
GMB submitted its pay claim for Local Government Craft Workers in February. In response the National Employers made a full and final one-year (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024) offer of:
With effect from 1 April 2023, an increase of £1,925 on basic salary
With effect from 1 April 2023, an increase of 3.88 per cent on all allowances
We put this offer to our members in an indicative ballot that closed on 28th April 2023
The result of that ballot is as follows:
Ballot Papers Sent - 313
Ballot Papers Returned - 178 (Turnout = 57%)
Those voting to Accept - 73 (41%)
Those voting to Reject - 105 (59%)
Unite members have also rejected the offer and called for further talks with the employers whilst also advising that they are preparing for an industrial action ballot, I will seek further information from Unite regarding their ballot timelines.
I have also advised the employers that GMB have rejected the offer and we are awaiting the employer's response.
On aggregate we have clearly passed the threshold for an industrial action ballot and a meeting will be held shortly to discuss next steps bearing in mind any proposed action for the national NJC Ballot.
Noticeboard Bulletin - 27-03-2023Posted on: 27 March 2023
GMB submitted its pay claim for Local Government Workers in February. In response the National Employers made the following, full and final one-year (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024) offer:
“For all Craft JNC employees the Employers’ final offer is as follows:
These increases would continue the principle agreed by the JNC in the 2016-18 agreement to align the five Craft Grades to current pay points 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively on the NJC ‘Green Book’ pay spine.
With regard to the other elements of our claim the employers have responded:
Tool Allowance and Tool Insurance – both to be increased by 3.88% with effect from 1 April 2023.
Recruitment and Retention Payment – The employers have stated that this is entirely a matter for local determination, rather than the JNC and therefore the reject this element of the claim.
A 35hr Working Week (34 in London)
The Employers have rejected this element of the claim stating “Such a reduction would be out of line with norms in local government and would result in an increase in costs that would adversely affect local authority services.’
An additional day Annual Leave
The Employers have rejected this element of the claim stating “All Craft employees currently receive a minimum of 22 days’ leave, plus two extra statutory days, with a further four days after five years’ service (28 days). Many councils have a more generous basic leave entitlement… “
Payment for Use of Technology
The Employers have rejected this element of the claim stating they consider the use of technology to be common practice in the modern workplace that does not merit additional recompense…”
GMB Craft Worker members have considered this offer and in the light of the ongoing cost of living crisis have agreed to recommend REJECTION of this offer in an indicative ballot.
Ballot papers are being issued by GMB Regions with the ballot set to open on Monday 27th March and close at noon on Friday 28th April 2023.
Once all ballot papers have been received and counted, in the event of us reaching the threshold for industrial action, we will then seek views on what form of industrial action members are willing to take and proceed to a formal ballot for action.
Craftworker Pay 2022/23Posted on: 3 March 2023
GMB submitted its pay claim for Local Government Workers in February. In response the National Employers have made the following, full and final one-year (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024) offer:
“For all Craft JNC employees (regardless of job title and designation) whose rate of pay differs from the salaries set out in the Craft JNC 2022 pay agreement circular (dated 10 November 2022), but is still contractually linked to the annual settlement reached by the Craft JNC, the Employers’ final offer is as follows:
For those few Craft employees who are paid the specific annual salaries as set out in the Craft JNC 2022 pay agreement, the Employers’ final offer is as follows:
With effect from 1 April 2023:
These increases would continue the principle agreed by the JNC in the 2016-18 agreement to align the five Craft Grades to current pay points 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively on the NJC ‘Green Book’ pay spine.
With regard to the other elements of our claim the employers have responded:
Tool Allowance and Tool Insurance – both to be increased by 3.88% with effect from 1 April 2023.
Recruitment and Retention Payment - This is entirely a matter for local determination, rather than the JNC and therefore the Employers reject this element of the claim.
A 35hr Working Week (34 in London)
The Employers reject this element of the claim stating “Such a reduction would be out of line with norms in local government and would result in an increase in costs that would adversely affect local authority services.’
An additional day Annual Leave
The Employers reject this element of the claim stating “All Craft employees currently receive a minimum of 22 days’ leave, plus two extra statutory days, with a further four days after five years’ service (28 days). Many councils have a more generous basic leave entitlement…
Payment for Use of Technology
The Employers reject this element of the claim stating they consider the use of technology to be common practice in the modern workplace that does not merit additional recompense…
In line with the policy for NJC Green Book staff we will be seeking further negotiations with the employers as soon as practicable.
Joint Negotiating Committee for Local Authority Craft & Associated EmployeesPosted on: 11 November 2022
To: Chief Executives in England and Wales (N Ireland for information) (copies for HR Director, Finance Director and DLO Manager) Members of the Joint Negotiating Committee
Dear Chief Executive,
CRAFTWORKERS’ PAY AGREEMENT 2022
Employers are encouraged to implement this pay award as swiftly as possible.
Pay
Agreement has been reached on rates of pay applicable from 1 April 2022.
For Craft JNC employees (regardless of job title and designation) whose rate of pay differs from the salaries set out in Annex 1, but which is still contractually linked to the annual settlement reached by this JNC, the pay award is as follows:
From 1 April 2022: £1,925 on basic salary and 4.04 per cent on allowances
However, for those employees who are currently paid the specific annual salaries as set out in Annex 1, the pay award is as follows:
From 1 April 2022:
• £1,925 on Building Labourer grade (equivalent to NJC SCP2)
• £1,925 on Heating & Ventilation Mate grade (equivalent to NJC SCP3)
• £1,925 on Building Operative grade (equivalent to NJC SCP3)
• £1,925 on Plumber grade (equivalent to NJC SCP4)
• £1,925 on Engineer & Electrician grade (equivalent to NJC SCP5)
• 4.04 per cent on all allowances
These increases continue the principle agreed by the JNC in the 2016-18 agreement to align the five Craft Grades to current pay points 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the NJC ‘Green Book’ pay spine.
Backpay for employees who have left employment since 1 April 2022
If requested by an ex-employee to do so, we recommend that employers should pay any monies due to that employee from 1 April 2022 to the employee’s last day of employment.
When salary arrears are paid to ex-employees who were in the LGPS, the employer must inform its local LGPS fund. Employers will need to amend the CARE and final pay figures Page 2 of 10 (if the ex-employee has pre-April 2014 LGPS membership) accordingly. Further detail is provided in section 15 of the HR guide which is available on the employer resources section of www.lgpsregs.org
Naomi Cooke, Unite
George Georgiou, GMB
GMB Local government Craft Workers to prepare for local disputes after national offer reluctantly accepted
Posted on: 8 November 2022
GMB members working under the red book rejected the local government employer’s final offer as it fell short on a number of key points, with a majority of members voting against the offer. However, as the larger local government ‘green book’ membership have accepted the offer, it was reluctantly decided that it should be accepted for red book workers also. This will ensure that members receive a much needed pay boost and prevent employers from simply imposing the offer, especially on those working under hybrid red/green book conditions.
GMB Members are now focussing on local disputes to improve terms and conditions and are actively pursuing them. We will target council’s where red book workers are well organised and are fully prepared to undertake disputes to improve their terms and conditions. Where local members have clear issues and are willing to take industrial action, they will have our full support.
Many members remain disappointed that the offer nowhere near matches the requirement to match RPI nor does it address many other aspects of our claim. GMB members remain angry and will continue to fight to improve their working conditions in the light of the worst economic situation for decades.
Local Government Craft Workers Pay OfferPosted on: 31 October 2022
Local Government Craft Workers have voted overwhelmingly to reject the employers 2022 pay offer.
On a 46% turnout, 64% of those who voted have voted to reject the offer.
We will now consult with reps and officers to discuss next steps and advise ASAP.
Not a GMB member? Join today Join
Want information about being a GMB Rep in your workplace? Email PublicServices@gmb.org.uk
GMB are moving forward on pay!Posted on: 22 April 2022
We've been consulting our Craftworker members in Local Government, and the results are in. This is what members told us they want to campaign on:
5% payed in April, 5% payed in October
No loss of earnings, leave, or benefit.
For members with over 10 years service
The weekly rate (between £3.21-£7.25 depending on profession) has not icreased in line with inflation.
The cost of maintaining and replacing tools has skyrocketed! Employees should not take a financial hit replacing the tools they need for work.
For all Red Book Operatives
If that sounds like something you can get behind, welcome to GMB!
Craftworkers are rebuilding this country, getting it back on it's feet after more than a decade of neglect and chaos. To get that job done, they need the right tools, they need the resources, and above all they need paying properly! To find out how you can get more involved in the fight for better pay, join GMB today!
Past Bulletins Noticeboard Bulletin - 24-04-2020Posted on: 24 April 2020
FAO: GMB ‘Red Book’ Craft Worker Members within Local Government in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
As you will be aware the recognised trade unions have been in on-going pay talks with Local Government employers regarding ‘Red Book’ Craft Workers’ Pay for some time. Talks started well before we moved into this unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic. Whilst GMB’s priority has been to support all of our members across Local Government through the pandemic we have continued to hold talks with the Local Government Association (LGA) on the pay claim which the trade unions submitted last year. The LGA employers have now tabled their offer.
For the avoidance of doubt, the offer relates to Craft Workers on ‘Red Book’ terms and conditions only, and not Craft workers who are covered by NJC ‘Green Book’ arrangements.
Headlines of the one year offer are as follows:
For all Craft JNC employees (regardless of job title and designation) whose rate of pay differs from the salaries set out in the Craft JNC 2018-20 pay agreement circular (dated 4 July 2018), but is still contractually linked to the annual settlement reached by the Craft JNC, the Employers’ final offer is as follows:
For those few Craft employees who are paid the specific annual salaries as set out in the Craft JNC 2018-20 pay agreement, the Employers’ offer is as follows.
GMB is acutely aware of what a vital role craft workers are playing across local government, right now, in fighting the coronavirus, to keep public services working and our country on track. The government should recognize this and fund a substantial additional increase for these committed staff, who have seen their pay drop substantially in real terms over recent years. We wish to resolve this pay negotiation as soon as possible so that our members get their pay rise, but we need more clarity on the money available, as well as some agreed timescales for the joint discussions on the non-pay elements of the claim, before we can move to consult our members.
Now is the time for employers and unions to call for the government to step in and properly reward these critical roles within our vital local government services.
NEXT STEPS
In GMB our members always have a say on their pay so a full pay ballot for you to have a vote on the offer will follow but please note the initial next steps are as follows:
A timetable for the ballot will be worked out but we do not anticipate the ballot to open until we have exhausted the push to government to top up the 2.75% . We will continue to carry on with the pay negotiations on the areas that need further talks until we conclude to a final pay offer.
CONCLUSION
GMB appreciates how difficult the current working environment our members are operating under and we will continue to ensure we make full representation on your pay. Once we reach a conclusion the final offer will be put to every member to a vote to have their say on pay.
SIGN UP
GMB appreciate that key workers are on the frontline but please note now is the time to build our union power so if you are aware of any work colleagues not in a union please encourage them to join at www.gmb.org.uk. We appreciate you may have a number of questions on the next steps but please be assured we will continue to provide regular prompt updates in the coming days and weeks. If you need to raise anything on pay please contact your local GMB Rep/Officer. Finally can we take this opportunity to thank you for all that you are doing to keep us safe and also for all you are doing in getting us through this pandemic.
Full details of the offer can be found here:
The Trade Unions’ response can be found here:
Please stay safe.
Karen Leonard - National Officer - Public Services Section