Breaking News

Court of Appeal Decision on the Increment Freeze

The Court of Appeal handed down it's judgement today. I am pleased to confirm that Nottingham City Council's Appeal has been dismissed. Our cross appeal for the circa 10% of claimants whose claims were unsuccessful has been allowed. Essentially the Court of Appeal has found that all 3 groups of claimants enjoyed at the point of implementation of the freeze, a contractual right to pay progression and accordingly that the withholding of the applicable increments with effect from 1 April 2011 was a breach of contract. The result is that all our members who pursued this case are entitled to arrears of pay equivalent to what they would have earned if pay progression had been operated in each of the years in which
it was frozen.

This is fantastic news for our members who are part of this claim and I am really pleased that my efforts to get this claim lodged have been successful.

The City Council has until the 24 April 2018 to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court. Our solicitors, Thompsons will let us know if this happens, failing which the case will be remitted back to the Nottingham Employment Tribunal so that we can work out the logistics of how the arrears of pay will be calculated and paid to our members.

Members who are part of the claim will shortly receive a letter from Thompsons to inform them of the outcome.

Christina Sanna
Branch Secretary

UNISON Accepts LGA's Pay Offer

UNISON has accepted the Local Government Association's two-year pay offer covering the period April 2018 – March 2020.

The key features of the pay offer are:

• 16% pay increase for those currently on the lowest scale point (scp) 6 over two years
• pay increase of between 15% and 4.3% for those on current scp's 7 – 28
• 4.04% over two years for those above current scp 29 – including those above scp 49
• new pay spine from 2019, with new scale points 1-43 and even 2% pay gaps between scp's 6-28

What does this mean for you?

Each employer will have their own grading structure, so the offer will need to be applied to your local situation. Your UNISON branch and paid officials will make sure that every employer fully implements the offer.

What happens next?

We want your pay rise to get to you as quickly as possible. The Local Government Association have been notified of UNISON's decision to accept the pay offer. We are meeting with the other unions (GMB and Unite) to agree and hopefully align our position this week - then the offer can be formally accepted and implemented.

UNISON Response to NCC Budget Cuts

UNISON has responded to Nottingham City Council's budget cut proposals for 2018/19.

Please read our response, including the impact the proposals will have, particularly within the Children & Adults Department. Trade Union Response Budget 2018/19

Women's Self Organising Group Officers

Welcome to our new Branch Women's Officers, (from left to right) Clare Copeland, Donna Rebouse and Carla Williams, who were elected at the Women's Self Organised Group meeting on 15 February. They will be organising a further meeting soon to share ideas about the group so look out for your invite.