Local Government Pay Proposals - Rubbish now and Rubbish in the future

We have now got the revised proposals from the local government employers, which are the basis upon which strike action on Tuesday was postponed to consult members. The only change from the proposals covered earlier on this blog are that those of us above spine point 26 (on the national pay spine) who would have been worse off under the previous proposals than under the 1% offer against which we took strike action will now get an additional lump sum in April 2015 so that we are no worse off (and no better off) in the current pay year than had we not taken strike action and just settled for the 1%.

The pay proposals from the local government employers are rubbish now and rubbish in the future.

Rubbish now

In the current year the new pay proposals from the local government employers offer;

·       No more money  in 2014/15 than if we had accepted the employers’ first offer for everyone who earns more than £430.41 gross a week;

·       A pittance extra in 2014/15 for those earning less – barely enough to buy a round of drinks and much less than has been lost by those who took strike action on 10 July;

·       Coming nowhere near our objective of a flat rate increase of at least one pound an hour;

·       Failing to achieve the living wage for workers up to spine point 10.

Comparing the proposals to the original offer in 2014/15 (national pay spine) at various points demonstrates just how trivial the “gain” for the lowest paid is in these proposals compared to the previous offer;

Spine point	Value of previous offer £pa	Value of “proposal” £pa	Gain £pa	Equivalent gain per month	Equivalent gain per week
5	580	591	+11	92p	21p
10	175	182	+7	58p	13p
21	193	207	+14	£1.17	27p
26	224	224	0	0	0
31	265	265	0	0	0
41	349	349	0	0	0

Even for those who make some gain in 2014/15, this is far less then the cost of having taken a day’s strike action on 10 July (based on the national pay spine);

Spine point	Gain	Deduction at 1/365th	Deduction at 1/260th
5	£11	£34	£48
10	£7	£38	£54
21	£14	£53	£74

Rubbish in the future

The proposal doesn’t achieve the living wage or anything like it. 

For the low paid, we sought to achieve the living wage of £7.65 per hour (£14,759 a year, for a full-time worker based upon a 37 hour week). The “proposal” leaves everyone on spine point 10 and below earning less than the living wage (set in October 2014) until at least April 2016.

The proposal does nothing to make up for the decline in our earnings.

The UNISON online pay calculator shows how much worse off we are as a result of the pay freeze. A worker earning £12,435 (well below the living wage) is £2,248 a year worse off but is being offered only £1,065 to make up for this, with nothing more until April 2016. A worker earning £24,982 is £4,905 a year worse off but is being offered only £547.62 to make up for this, with nothing more until April 2016.

The proposal does not break the Government’s 1% pay policy.

The appearance of a 2.2% increase in 2015/16 can only be achieved by sleight of hand, ignoring the fact that this is a two year deal (paid nine months late) and that the very worst we could have expected anyway, without any campaign or industrial action, would have been two successive 1% pay awards, which together would have been worth a combined 2.01% anyway. A settlement on the basis of this “proposal” would be gambling away our opportunity to fight for a decent pay rise in 2015 (a year in which a General Election will be fought in large part on the issue of living standards) in return for an increase 0.19% larger than the worst we could otherwise have expected.

Spine point (national pay spine)	Annual salary in 2015/16 under the “proposal” £pa	Annual salary in 2015/16 based upon two 1% increases £pa	Benefit of the “proposal” £pa in 2015/16	Monthly benefit of the “proposal” in 2015/16	Weekly benefit of the “proposal” in 2015/16
11	15,207.36	15,179.09	28.27	£2.36	54p
21	19,741.97	19,705.27	36.70	£3.06	70p
26	22,936.75	22,894.10	42.65	£3.55	82p
31	27,122.86	27,072.43	50.43	£4.20	97p
41	35,661.67	35,595.37	68.30	£5.69	£1.31

The majority who voted to suspend strike action in order to "consult" upon this rubbish should hang their heads in shame. Anyone in any trade union who tries to persuade trade unionists to accept this scandalously inadequate pay offer is either a scoundrel or an idiot. 

Any self-respecting local government worker offered a vote on these appalling proposals should reject them.

And any self-respecting trade union activist in local government should campaign for rejection (and ignore anyone who tells them not to).

We know that, within UNISON, the London and North West Regions in particular are solidly opposed to this rubbish, with support from delegates in the south. However within Regions whose delegates backed capitulation, there are large and important branches (such as Newcastle and Birmingham) where there is opposition.

We must not be defeatist in our approach to a campaign to reject this derisory set of proposals, a campaign which we can kick off through our participation in the TUC demonstration on 18 October.

Local Government Workers - After 9 October 2014 - Don't Mourn - Organise!

It’s a terrible old cliché, but without doubt true, that after today’s meeting of UNISON’s National Joint Council (NJC) Committee gave lay approval (by 20 votes to 9) to what is arguably the worst outcome to local government pay negotiations ever by voting to suspend strike action, it is essential that those of us outraged by this dereliction of duty on the part of the majority of that Committee need not to mourn, but to organise.

We must do our best to reject these appallingly inadequate proposals and to resurrect a campaign for fair pay in the New Year, when it will put precisely the political pressure upon our employers which we need, and which some in our ranks have sought to avoid.

I won’t repeat here what I have already said about how the employers’ proposals are worse than their previous offer in this pay year, nor about how much they are against our members’ interests in 2015/16. I won’t even repeat what I believe an icon of 70s television humour would have said about them.

I am tempted to say again what I thought about the disgraceful pro-employer propaganda circulated in the name of the lead negotiator of another trade union, and also to remind readers of this blog of just who did stand to benefit from the proposals (which are still not an offer and in respect of which there is therefore no mandate to consult our members). But I shall resist temptation!

The only point I want to make in this blog post is to emphasise that UNISON branches and activists undoubtedlyhave the right to campaignfor the rejection of this appalling deal (which will now undoubtedly be “sold” to our members) – and we need to organise, in every Region, a vigorous and effective campaign. Our Conference itself has confirmed the rights of branches and other UNISON bodies (and members) to campaign, including making their own recommendations.

I have been told more than once not to campaign against national recommendations. I have ignored such improper instructions (which have breached our rules) and have suffered no adverse consequences (other than perhaps a declining membership of my fan club).

I urge every UNISON member who believes that our negotiators have done a sterling job in producing proposals which are cheaper for the employers and less beneficial for our members to campaign for acceptance of those proposals. I equally urge all those who think that this is a lamentable set of proposals which any self-respecting trade unionist would have rejected already to express our views and campaign for rejection.

I will return in detail to the reasons why we should campaign for rejection of the pay proposal which our employers have advanced, and I will argue for that position within UNISON. Branches and activists who follow suit can expect to be told not to. They can expect to be told that they may be disciplined if they do. This is a bluff which should be called. The people who make those threats are not themselves local government workers, nor do they have any understanding of UNISON’s Rules (which have been agreed by lay members of our trade union).

Any such threat would breach UNISON Rule B.2.5, just as – I allege – the decision to suspend strike action and to consult upon such utterly inadequate proposals breaches Rule B.1.4. (Check the Rule Book!)

I will blog further about arrangements to coordinate campaigning for rejection of this disgraceful set of proposals to perpetuate poverty pay in local government.

Local Government Workers - After 9 October 2014 - Don't Mourn - Organise!

It’s a terrible old cliché, but without doubt true, that after today’s meeting of UNISON’s National Joint Council (NJC) Committee gave lay approval (by 20 votes to 9) to what is arguably the worst outcome to local government pay negotiations ever by voting to suspend strike action, it is essential that those of us outraged by this dereliction of duty on the part of the majority of that Committee need not to mourn, but to organise.

We must do our best to reject these appallingly inadequate proposals and to resurrect a campaign for fair pay in the New Year, when it will put precisely the political pressure upon our employers which we need, and which some in our ranks have sought to avoid.

I won’t repeat here what I have already said about how the employers’ proposals are worse than their previous offer in this pay year, nor about how much they are against our members’ interests in 2015/16. I won’t even repeat what I believe an icon of 70s television humour would have said about them.

I am tempted to say again what I thought about the disgraceful pro-employer propaganda circulated in the name of the lead negotiator of another trade union, and also to remind readers of this blog of just who did stand to benefit from the proposals (which are still not an offer and in respect of which there is therefore no mandate to consult our members). But I shall resist temptation!

The only point I want to make in this blog post is to emphasise that UNISON branches and activists undoubtedly have the right to campaign for the rejection of this appalling deal (which will now undoubtedly be “sold” to our members) – and we need to organise, in every Region, a vigorous and effective campaign. Our Conference itself has confirmed the rights of branches and other UNISON bodies (and members) to campaign, including making their own recommendations.

I have been told more than once not to campaign against national recommendations. I have ignored such improper instructions (which have breached our rules) and have suffered no adverse consequences (other than perhaps a declining membership of my fan club).

I urge every UNISON member who believes that our negotiators have done a sterling job in producing proposals which are cheaper for the employers and less beneficial for our members to campaign for acceptance of those proposals. I equally urge all those who think that this is a lamentable set of proposals which any self-respecting trade unionist would have rejected already to express our views and campaign for rejection.

I will return in detail to the reasons why we should campaign for rejection of the pay proposal which our employers have advanced, and I will argue for that position within UNISON. Branches and activists who follow suit can expect to be told not to. They can expect to be told that they may be disciplined if they do. This is a bluff which should be called. The people who make those threats are not themselves local government workers, nor do they have any understanding of UNISON’s Rules (which have been agreed by lay members of our trade union).

Any such threat would breach UNISON Rule B.2.5, just as – I allege – the decision to suspend strike action and to consult upon such utterly inadequate proposals breaches Rule B.1.4. (Check the Rule Book!)

I will blog further about arrangements to coordinate campaigning for rejection of this disgraceful set of proposals to perpetuate poverty pay in local government.

Trade union negotiators in local government - an apology

http://www.unison.org.uk/local-government-and-school-support-workers-strike-suspended

I would like to apologise for our national negotiators.

That is all.

For now.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

Trade union negotiators in local government - an apology

http://www.unison.org.uk/local-government-and-school-support-workers-strike-suspended

I would like to apologise for our national negotiators.

That is all.

For now.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

Part Three of the Lobbying Act - the cat's out of the bag!

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/trade-unions-assured-registers-of-members

‎One of our Assistant General Secretaries drew attention to the Government consultation linked to above at today's meeting of the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC).

This is a consultation on the implementation of Part Three of the Lobbying Act - the unrelated proposals to require trade unions to prepare, and have independently audited, certificates of the accuracy of our membership records.

‎No one of consequence had called for this further unnecessary legislative intrusion into the affairs of what are already some of the most regulated trade unions in the world. 

However, the text of the equality impact assessment which accompanies the consultation reveals the purpose of this pernicious provision;

"These changes would complement but not replace the current mechanism by which employers can approach the court to seek an injunction to stop industrial action..."

‎Given the papers accompanying the consultation demonstrate the scale of the problem which unions face in keeping membership records up to date, because of high levels of membership turnover and the frequency with which members change their home address, it is clear that this legislation is simply a deliberate attempt to augment the already formidable obstacles in the way of lawful industrial action.

Labour has pledged to repeal these provisions - but we probably shouldn't ignore this consultation (and I'm sure we won't).

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

Part Three of the Lobbying Act - the cat's out of the bag!

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/trade-unions-assured-registers-of-members

‎One of our Assistant General Secretaries drew attention to the Government consultation linked to above at today's meeting of the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC).

This is a consultation on the implementation of Part Three of the Lobbying Act - the unrelated proposals to require trade unions to prepare, and have independently audited, certificates of the accuracy of our membership records.

‎No one of consequence had called for this further unnecessary legislative intrusion into the affairs of what are already some of the most regulated trade unions in the world. 

However, the text of the equality impact assessment which accompanies the consultation reveals the purpose of this pernicious provision;

"These changes would complement but not replace the current mechanism by which employers can approach the court to seek an injunction to stop industrial action..."

‎Given the papers accompanying the consultation demonstrate the scale of the problem which unions face in keeping membership records up to date, because of high levels of membership turnover and the frequency with which members change their home address, it is clear that this legislation is simply a deliberate attempt to augment the already formidable obstacles in the way of lawful industrial action.

Labour has pledged to repeal these provisions - but we probably shouldn't ignore this consultation (and I'm sure we won't).

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

UNISON NEC on the road

Today's meeting of UNISON's National Executive Council (NEC) is taking place over the road in Hamilton House, headquarters of the National Union of Teachers.

This does not signify a possible merger!

It's just that the lifts aren't working in our ill-starred white elephant on the Euston Road and so we can't reach the prestigious ninth floor Conference Centre, boasting panoramic views of London.

Nor, for some reason, can we use the more than adequate alternative meeting facilities on our ground floor.

Today's meeting will receive a statement from our President and General Secretary rightly stressing the priority to be attached to implementing Conference policy on organising the fragmented workforce.

We need to take our resources to where they are needed to organise the workforce.

Whether we need a flashy Central London office, large parts of which have been kept vacant for four years, is perhaps an open question.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

UNISON NEC on the road

Today's meeting of UNISON's National Executive Council (NEC) is taking place over the road in Hamilton House, headquarters of the National Union of Teachers.

This does not signify a possible merger!

It's just that the lifts aren't working in our ill-starred white elephant on the Euston Road and so we can't reach the prestigious ninth floor Conference Centre, boasting panoramic views of London.

Nor, for some reason, can we use the more than adequate alternative meeting facilities on our ground floor.

Today's meeting will receive a statement from our President and General Secretary rightly stressing the priority to be attached to implementing Conference policy on organising the fragmented workforce.

We need to take our resources to where they are needed to organise the workforce.

Whether we need a flashy Central London office, large parts of which have been kept vacant for four years, is perhaps an open question.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

UNISON General Secretary Election

Ahead of tomorrow's meeting of UNISON's National Executive Council (NEC) I asked about arrangements for the forthcoming General Secretary election.

I was advised that this matter is "with the Development and Organisation Committee".

As a member of that Committee I have asked further questions.

Obviously a trade union which wished to maximise member participation would announce the timetable for such an election in good time, and would agree procedures which would encourage members to put themselves forward.

Although I don't care what they do - they won't persuade me to stand again!

No matter how many senior officials at Congress House try to persuade me.

UNISON General Secretary Election

Ahead of tomorrow's meeting of UNISON's National Executive Council (NEC) I asked about arrangements for the forthcoming General Secretary election.

I was advised that this matter is "with the Development and Organisation Committee".

As a member of that Committee I have asked further questions.

Obviously a trade union which wished to maximise member participation would announce the timetable for such an election in good time, and would agree procedures which would encourage members to put themselves forward.

Although I don't care what they do - they won't persuade me to stand again!

No matter how many senior officials at Congress House try to persuade me.

Still full steam ahead for 14 October

‎Below is an internal UNITE email sent this afternoon which confirms continuing support for strike action in local government on 14 October.

‎This corrects information previously circulated within UNISON, where Regional pay briefings are taking place ahead of a reconvened meeting of the National Joint Council (NJC) Committee on Thursday.

I hope that tomorrow's Regional briefing in London affirms full support for the excellent work of our Region's NJC representatives, who recommend we continue our pay campaign and throw out the diversionary tactics of the local government employers, even in the face of unnecessary confusion.

‎Stand firm comrades!

From: X- Services Sector 
Sent: 07 October 2014 13:02‎
To: Services Sector
Subject: FW: Local Government Pay

 

TO:     Local Authority NISC Members

        Local Government Officers

        Local Government Mailing List

 

X

Services Sector

 

 

 

NJC Pay

England and Wales

7^th October

 

There have been further discussions with the employers on the new proposals for NJC Pay. The employers will not formally put this proposal to the unions for consultation until all three unions agree to do so. Currently Unite and GMB NJC committees have indicated that they are willing to consult their members but Unison are not. Further discussions are taking place at the LGA tomorrow and I will continue to keep you updated on any progress.

 

You may have seen Unison's circular dated 3^rd October which quoted Unite as having suspended the strike action. This is simply not true and a misrepresentation of our position. The action on 14^th October is going ahead and I would ask that you forward information on picket lines ,any local rallies and demos to Karen.Viquerat@unitetheunion.org and we will post them on the website. There are no national rallies or marches planned for the 14^th.

 

The TUC march and rally Britain Needs a Pay Rise will take place on Saturday 18^th October in London, please contact your region for information on travel arrangements #18oct

 

 

NJC unions have received a new proposal on pay for 2014 through to 31^st March 2016:

 

£1065  (8.56%) on SCP 5 from 1 January 2015

£1000  (7.93%) on SCP 6 from 1 January 2015

£800  (6.19%) on SCP 7 from 1 January 2015

£550  (4.13%) on SCP 8 from 1 January 2015

£350  (2.55%) on SCP 9 from 1 January 2015

£325  (2.55%) on SCP 10 from 1 January 2015

 

2.20% on SCP 11 and above from 1 January 2015

 

Removal of SCP 5 with effect from 1 October 2015

 

£325 non-consolidated payment on SCP 5,6,7 payable end December 2014

£150 non-consolidated payment on SCP 8,9,10 payable end December 2014

£100 non-consolidated payment on SCP 11-49 payable end December 2014

 

Best wishes

 

Fiona

 

Fiona Farmer

National Officer

Unite the Union

 

www.unitetheunion.org

 

Twitter @FionaUnite

 

Still full steam ahead for 14 October

‎Below is an internal UNITE email sent this afternoon which confirms continuing support for strike action in local government on 14 October.

‎This corrects information previously circulated within UNISON, where Regional pay briefings are taking place ahead of a reconvened meeting of the National Joint Council (NJC) Committee on Thursday.

I hope that tomorrow's Regional briefing in London affirms full support for the excellent work of our Region's NJC representatives, who recommend we continue our pay campaign and throw out the diversionary tactics of the local government employers, even in the face of unnecessary confusion.

‎Stand firm comrades!

From: X- Services Sector 
Sent: 07 October 2014 13:02‎
To: Services Sector
Subject: FW: Local Government Pay

 

TO:     Local Authority NISC Members

        Local Government Officers

        Local Government Mailing List

 

X

Services Sector

 

 

 

NJC Pay

England and Wales

7^th October

 

There have been further discussions with the employers on the new proposals for NJC Pay. The employers will not formally put this proposal to the unions for consultation until all three unions agree to do so. Currently Unite and GMB NJC committees have indicated that they are willing to consult their members but Unison are not. Further discussions are taking place at the LGA tomorrow and I will continue to keep you updated on any progress.

 

You may have seen Unison's circular dated 3^rd October which quoted Unite as having suspended the strike action. This is simply not true and a misrepresentation of our position. The action on 14^th October is going ahead and I would ask that you forward information on picket lines ,any local rallies and demos to Karen.Viquerat@unitetheunion.org and we will post them on the website. There are no national rallies or marches planned for the 14^th.

 

The TUC march and rally Britain Needs a Pay Rise will take place on Saturday 18^th October in London, please contact your region for information on travel arrangements #18oct

 

 

NJC unions have received a new proposal on pay for 2014 through to 31^st March 2016:

 

£1065  (8.56%) on SCP 5 from 1 January 2015

£1000  (7.93%) on SCP 6 from 1 January 2015

£800  (6.19%) on SCP 7 from 1 January 2015

£550  (4.13%) on SCP 8 from 1 January 2015

£350  (2.55%) on SCP 9 from 1 January 2015

£325  (2.55%) on SCP 10 from 1 January 2015

 

2.20% on SCP 11 and above from 1 January 2015

 

Removal of SCP 5 with effect from 1 October 2015

 

£325 non-consolidated payment on SCP 5,6,7 payable end December 2014

£150 non-consolidated payment on SCP 8,9,10 payable end December 2014

£100 non-consolidated payment on SCP 11-49 payable end December 2014

 

Best wishes

 

Fiona

 

Fiona Farmer

National Officer

Unite the Union

 

www.unitetheunion.org

 

Twitter @FionaUnite

 

Stop reading blogs and build for strike action!

The UNISON Active blog last week set out why the pay proposals from the local government employers were not worthy of serious consideration with somewhat greater brevity than regular readers will have found on this blog.

UNISON’s National Joint Council (NJC) Committee decided to reject the proposals for three reasons, only one of which was the technicality that the proposals were not an offer.

The other reasons were that the lump sum element failed even to amount to the back pay due to many members on the 1% previously offered from 1 April, and that the overall percentage increase on a two year deal was inadequate.

There are those in our movement who, for whatever reason, want to bring an end to our pay dispute. Whatever their real reasons, no one with a clue as to what is going on believes that it is essential that members are “consulted” on such proposals (even if they became an offer).

To date there is no basis whatsoever for the NJC Committee to revisit its decision to proceed with action on 14 October. If the “proposals” re-emerge as an offer, perhaps with an increase in the “lump sum” unconsolidated payment, some may argue that the decision should be reconsidered.

That would be wrong.

Now I’ll stop writing this, and you stop reading it, and we’ll get on with building support for strike action a week today.

Stop reading blogs and build for strike action!

The UNISON Active blog last week set out why the pay proposals from the local government employers were not worthy of serious consideration with somewhat greater brevity than regular readers will have found on this blog.

UNISON’s National Joint Council (NJC) Committee decided to reject the proposals for three reasons, only one of which was the technicality that the proposals were not an offer.

The other reasons were that the lump sum element failed even to amount to the back pay due to many members on the 1% previously offered from 1 April, and that the overall percentage increase on a two year deal was inadequate.

There are those in our movement who, for whatever reason, want to bring an end to our pay dispute. Whatever their real reasons, no one with a clue as to what is going on believes that it is essential that members are “consulted” on such proposals (even if they became an offer).

To date there is no basis whatsoever for the NJC Committee to revisit its decision to proceed with action on 14 October. If the “proposals” re-emerge as an offer, perhaps with an increase in the “lump sum” unconsolidated payment, some may argue that the decision should be reconsidered.

That would be wrong.

Now I’ll stop writing this, and you stop reading it, and we’ll get on with building support for strike action a week today.

Let's hold our nerve on pay

‎I spent a couple of hours this morning leafleting for strike action on 14 October, as I will each day this week (except when offered the enticing alternative of a meeting of our National Executive Council).

There is no reluctance or resistance to the strike call (or - at least - no greater reluctance than there was in the summer, when we delivered action which was, whilst patchy, generally seen as successful).

Our members are not - outside some pockets of exceptional radicalism - straining to be called out on strike. There is, however, a sufficient understanding that strike action is necessary if we are to win a worthwhile pay increase - and a sufficient willingness to take this action.

It is sadly evident that moves are afoot to derail our pay campaign. An unnecessary further meeting of UNISON's National Joint Council (NJC) campaign has been called for Thursday, following regional briefings (with no constitutional standing) which, whilst convened to share information, have been invited to urge the Committee to suspend action.

That this last minute attempt to canvass views has an agenda is made clear by the way in which officials are briefing about the position of the other trade unions. We are told - in the face of contrary evidence on the website of that trade union - that UNITE have already decided to throw in the towel. Whilst GMB branches receive emails from their union telling them to build the strike, we are being told that their national leadership have already agreed to call off the strike if‎ we get a new offer (regardless of what it is??)

These things may or may not be true. They may or may not become true. But when someone drip feeds you information calculated to shake your resolve you have to question their motives.

We received a questionnaire this morning asking branches (amongst other things) what the Union at Regional or national level could do better to support our pay campaign. I hope that the Branch Committee will agree to my recommendation that we include in our response to the questionnaire the observation that we should be asked such a question well in advance - and not at the last minute (alongside questions about our estimates of support for action which are plainly being asked at far too late a stage for any use to be made of the information, other than to lobby for it to be called off).

How should activists respond to these transparent attempts to undermine our campaign? We should treat them with disdain.

We should all still be out there - every day this week - with our leaflets and placards, building support for action on 14 October.

Our Local Government Conference agreed that the NJC pay campaign was a priority for our Union.

Our General Secretary told the TUC that it was the time for us to fight on pay.

Our members need a trade union which seriously tries to improve our living standards.

We should hold our nerve.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

Let's hold our nerve on pay

‎I spent a couple of hours this morning leafleting for strike action on 14 October, as I will each day this week (except when offered the enticing alternative of a meeting of our National Executive Council).

There is no reluctance or resistance to the strike call (or - at least - no greater reluctance than there was in the summer, when we delivered action which was, whilst patchy, generally seen as successful).

Our members are not - outside some pockets of exceptional radicalism - straining to be called out on strike. There is, however, a sufficient understanding that strike action is necessary if we are to win a worthwhile pay increase - and a sufficient willingness to take this action.

It is sadly evident that moves are afoot to derail our pay campaign. An unnecessary further meeting of UNISON's National Joint Council (NJC) campaign has been called for Thursday, following regional briefings (with no constitutional standing) which, whilst convened to share information, have been invited to urge the Committee to suspend action.

That this last minute attempt to canvass views has an agenda is made clear by the way in which officials are briefing about the position of the other trade unions. We are told - in the face of contrary evidence on the website of that trade union - that UNITE have already decided to throw in the towel. Whilst GMB branches receive emails from their union telling them to build the strike, we are being told that their national leadership have already agreed to call off the strike if‎ we get a new offer (regardless of what it is??)

These things may or may not be true. They may or may not become true. But when someone drip feeds you information calculated to shake your resolve you have to question their motives.

We received a questionnaire this morning asking branches (amongst other things) what the Union at Regional or national level could do better to support our pay campaign. I hope that the Branch Committee will agree to my recommendation that we include in our response to the questionnaire the observation that we should be asked such a question well in advance - and not at the last minute (alongside questions about our estimates of support for action which are plainly being asked at far too late a stage for any use to be made of the information, other than to lobby for it to be called off).

How should activists respond to these transparent attempts to undermine our campaign? We should treat them with disdain.

We should all still be out there - every day this week - with our leaflets and placards, building support for action on 14 October.

Our Local Government Conference agreed that the NJC pay campaign was a priority for our Union.

Our General Secretary told the TUC that it was the time for us to fight on pay.

Our members need a trade union which seriously tries to improve our living standards.

We should hold our nerve.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

UNITE confirm support for local government strike action on Tuesday 14 October

http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/new-minimum-wage-is-a-disgrace-as-council-workers-struggle-to-pay-bills-says-unite/

This press release makes clear that UNITE members in local government are expected to support the strike action on Tuesday week.

The "proposal" to make a pay offer which was even worse than the miserable offer against which we took strike action on 10 July, and which was floated by the employers' negotiators in an attempt to derail our campaign has comprehensively failed to achieve its aim.

‎

Trade union activists now face the significant challenge of persuading our members to support the strike action which must be effective if we are to reverse the decline in our standard of living.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

UNITE confirm support for local government strike action on Tuesday 14 October

http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/new-minimum-wage-is-a-disgrace-as-council-workers-struggle-to-pay-bills-says-unite/

This press release makes clear that UNITE members in local government are expected to support the strike action on Tuesday week.

The "proposal" to make a pay offer which was even worse than the miserable offer against which we took strike action on 10 July, and which was floated by the employers' negotiators in an attempt to derail our campaign has comprehensively failed to achieve its aim.

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Trade union activists now face the significant challenge of persuading our members to support the strike action which must be effective if we are to reverse the decline in our standard of living.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

14 October strike action - full steam ahead!

‎Set out below is an extract from an email message sent out yesterday to GMB representatives, confirming that the GMB will be taking strike action in local government (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) on Tuesday 14 October.

This follows the decision of UNISON's National Joint Council (NJC) Committee last week not to agree to a request from the employers to suspend the strike, and should put an end to any unhelpful speculation about whether or not the action will go ahead.‎ Any change of heart now would be so damaging that it must be inconceivable. 

Only if the employers were to come forward with a substantially improved offer (which could look nothing like the miserable "proposals" which emerged last week) would it make sense for the unions even to contemplate anything other than a continuing campaign of action - and we certainly cannot chop and change at short notice.

‎We have a week now in which to maximise support for the action. UNISON - at every level - needs to show the vigour and determination of November 2011.

‎"Dear Colleagues, 

‎GMB National Representatives have met today and confirmed that we will be taking part in the Industrial action on the 14th October.   In the last couple of months there have been talks at National level aimed at resolving the dispute but these have come to no avail as the employers have not come up with a suitable alternative offer. 

Please inform members and ask them to support the strike but they will be notified by letter also.

Please start making arrangements to organise and support pickets.  You might also wish to liaise with Unison colleagues on this.  I can hopefully get the material you need so please liaise with me regarding distribution of flags/placards/etc.    

It is very likely that there will be a march in Central London from lunchtime onwards.   We would ask you to join this after morning pickets.

Please note the GMB is fulfilling all legal obligations in reference to notices to employers.   There is no requirement on reps or members to inform management.   Individual members have the right to decide on the day whether they will be striking or not, they do not have to give the employer any notice."

14 October strike action - full steam ahead!

‎Set out below is an extract from an email message sent out yesterday to GMB representatives, confirming that the GMB will be taking strike action in local government (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) on Tuesday 14 October.

This follows the decision of UNISON's National Joint Council (NJC) Committee last week not to agree to a request from the employers to suspend the strike, and should put an end to any unhelpful speculation about whether or not the action will go ahead.‎ Any change of heart now would be so damaging that it must be inconceivable. 

Only if the employers were to come forward with a substantially improved offer (which could look nothing like the miserable "proposals" which emerged last week) would it make sense for the unions even to contemplate anything other than a continuing campaign of action - and we certainly cannot chop and change at short notice.

‎We have a week now in which to maximise support for the action. UNISON - at every level - needs to show the vigour and determination of November 2011.

‎"Dear Colleagues, 

‎GMB National Representatives have met today and confirmed that we will be taking part in the Industrial action on the 14th October.   In the last couple of months there have been talks at National level aimed at resolving the dispute but these have come to no avail as the employers have not come up with a suitable alternative offer. 

Please inform members and ask them to support the strike but they will be notified by letter also.

Please start making arrangements to organise and support pickets.  You might also wish to liaise with Unison colleagues on this.  I can hopefully get the material you need so please liaise with me regarding distribution of flags/placards/etc.    

It is very likely that there will be a march in Central London from lunchtime onwards.   We would ask you to join this after morning pickets.

Please note the GMB is fulfilling all legal obligations in reference to notices to employers.   There is no requirement on reps or members to inform management.   Individual members have the right to decide on the day whether they will be striking or not, they do not have to give the employer any notice."