Pay was at the top of the agenda when UNISON met passenger transport employers at the national forum in Manchester yesterday.
The joint unions – UNISON and Unite – have been consulting members on their priorities for the 2014 pay claim, but told employers that they were not yet in a position to make firm proposals.
Meanwhile local government trade unions are consulting on a range of options for their 2014-15 pay claim.
The consultation period is due to end on 4 October, but it is likely to seek the living wage as a minimum pay level for all local government workers.
Apart from West Yorkshire, this is not an issue in passenger transport executives, where the lowest salary point is already above the living sage.
But the trade union side supports the principle of improving the position of the lower paid.
The employers said they remained committed to sustainable pay but were constrained by public sector pay restraint and other factors such as their relationship with their funding bodies.
The unions and employers also discussed recruitment and retention, which is linked to pay, and noted that f the economy was picking up, this might become more of an issue.
UNISON and Unite will continue consulting on pay, and will discuss the matter at a trade union side meeting later this year.
The meeting also heard a number of other updates.
Merseytravel
A three-year pay deal in Merseytravel ended this year. The local employer and unions now have to consider future pay arrangements, including a further long -term deal and a possible link to local government pay.
South Yorkshire PTE
This passenger transport executive has seen a 15% levy cut and there are concerns about the impact on pay.
Despite this, the forum heard that possible pay could be increased in line with the local government NJC settlement, though this was not guaranteed.
Combined authorities
The employers gave an update on developments regarding combined authorities.
Greater Manchester appeared to be a good example on how combined authorities could work.
Combined authorities in passenger transport executives are at various stages of development and the forum saw a discussion over the issues around this.
