Here is the latest on the current position and the trade unions’ response nationally.
The current national offer
Following national negotiations, the national employers’ organisation has presented its final offer to the trade unions.
Here is an outline of how the pay offer, if accepted nationally, would increase Derbyshire pay scales, from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024:
- colleagues on grades 1 to 13: an increase of £1,925 (pro rata for part-time employees)
- colleagues on grades 14 to 16: an increase of 3.88%
- in addition, an increase of 3.88% on all flat-rate allowances is proposed, which would include payments such as standby, sleep-in and first aid
This offer would provide a lowest rate of pay of £11.59 per hour and, if accepted, would represent an increase ranging from 9.50% at grade 1/2 to 3.88% at grade 16.
Latest trade union response
All 3 recognised trade unions have confirmed to the national employers’ organisation that they have rejected the offer. Approximately 23% of county council employees are members of a recognised trade union.
- Unison is currently balloting for industrial action, until 4 July 2023
- Unite has confirmed it will be conducting formal ballots for industrial action from 13 June 2023 to 28 July 2023
- GMB has announced that it intends to conduct a series of strike ballots from September 2023
Members of trade unions will be contacted direct by their union regarding voting arrangements.