Environment agency - 2009 Pay negotiations employers makes opening offer

Negotiations on this year’s pay claim began on 12 June when the Agency’s management team met with representatives of the four recognised trade unions – UNISON, UNITE, GMB and PROSPECT.

The Agency responded to the TU’s claim (see previous circular BC&EC13.09) by making an offer that fell into three main parts, Pay and Allowances, Standby and Call Out and Disturbance Allowance.

I have attached a bulletin that summarises the contents of the offer and explains the position reached by UNISON and the other three TUs. The offer includes the following key elements:

• An increase of 1.5% on all pay scale points, grade maxima plus allowances (The Ops Delivery Craft Allowance remained unchanged) • An increase in standby allowances and the introduction of new shift payments to replace the ad-hoc arrangements presently operated locally for extended incidents. (see bulletin for details) • The existing Disturbance Allowances are to be replaced by a one off lump sum payment made at the start of the disturbance period following a change in work location based on 2 years using 12p per mile for lease car users and 19p per mile for casual car users, to cover both additional travel cost and time.



The offer was presented as a package and it was made clear that any movement in one area would have a consequential effect somewhere else as the overall size of the ‘pot’ was fixed.



As the bulletin makes clear UNISON has informed the Agency that this offer is not acceptable and has urged them to think again with a view to coming back with an improved offer that more closely matches the contents of this year’s claim.

Branches are particularly asked to consult members who are involved in the various forms of standby and call out working, including those who generally turn out in response to emergency incidents that sometimes can last for days/weeks. During the negotiations on standby and call out some alternative approaches were explored. The management team proposed that their offer could be framed in two possible formats

1. The Standby rate could be increased to £120 per week but with no entitlement to any call out allowances.

OR

2. A lower standby rate (not yet specified), but a call out allowance would be paid when triggered.

The trade unions felt that this represented a move in the right direction in that there are two distinct forms of standby; one that generally does not involve call outs and the other that does. However neither option in itself would satisfy every situation. Therefore the TUs proposed that a third option be explored and this would involve a dual approach that would utilise both options 1 and 2 above to be applied to employees dependent on the nature and type of standby worked.

Branches are asked to consult members affected by these proposals and to report the outcomes back to me and their NNG reps prior to 7 July 2009.

In conclusion I would emphasise that the main reasons why this offer was considered unacceptable are as follows:

• Pay and Allowances – The offer of 1.5% is below the latest CPI of 2.3% and falls seriously below the 4% sought by our claim. • Standby and Call Out – The proposed rates are still below what we believe is fair and reasonable and remain significantly less than the rates featured in the pay claim. • No positive offers were made in response to our claims for improved flexible working, paid time off for carers and accumulative leave. • The offer on Disturbance represents a significant worsening of the existing allowances which provide for 2years at the full net difference in costs and a further 2 years at 50% of the difference. For some the offer would represent a 75% reduction in the value of the disturbance allowance. (The Agency made clear that they wanted this offer in place in preparation for the move to a new head office in Bristol.)



Negotiations on the claim will resume at the NNG on 7th July and it will be important for every branch to establish its position on the offer prior to this meeting on 7th July. I would urge you to consult members widely on this offer and to get back to me and your NNG reps in good time for 7th July (preferably by the Sector Committee on 25 June).

Yours sincerely,

Steve Bloomfield

Steve Bloomfield Head of Utilities UNISON

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