RPI a massive 19.9% in October! We have two Waste & Recycling (Bin workers) pay issues

The graphic above was taken from the Government website The Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The almost vertical rise in RPI is plain for all to see. The graphic shows RPI over a 30-year period.

We are unprecedented times which is why our members are angry and determined to get a pay offer they believe provides them with some respect.

Early next week UNISON and GMB are going into another round of talks to try and reach an agreement on two pay claims made on behalf of bin workers

At a mass meeting in the depot this morning our members are clear they want a better offer.

Our members worked throughout Covid and feel their contribution to the delivering services 52 weeks a year to Barnet residents is not recognised by their employer.

Warms words will not pay the rent, the food bills or the escalating energy costs.

Barnet UNISON will be reminding the employer that our members working in Waste & Recycling (Bin workers) had a 91% turnout in the National Pay consultation and almost of the Votes were to REJECT the offer and move to strike action.

See voting figures here

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/09/22/89-of-barnet-unison-members-vote-to-reject-national-pay-offer/

The next round of talks will take place on Monday 28 November 2022.

More later.

 

End.

 

 

Barnet Council: London Living Wage is NOW £11.95

Barnet Council includes the London Living Wage as a contract clause for some of the contractors that deliver services on behalf of Barnet Council e.g. Norse (cleaning contractor) ISS (catering in schools), Blue Nine (security services).

 

“The new Living Wage rates were announced on Thursday 22nd September 2022.  Employers should implement the rise as soon as possible but by the latest 14th May 2023.”

https://www.livingwage.org.uk/calculation

Our members working for Norse, ISS, Blue Nine are currently earning £11.05 an hour.

The new rate is £11.95 and hour.

The worst Cost-of-Living Crisis in 75 years is having a disproportionate impact on the lowest paid which is why Barnet UNISON has called on Barnet Council to ask their contractors to update the London Living Wage for their staff before Christmas.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows RPI was 19.9% at the end of October (see graph below).

End.

Branch Meeting on National Pay for next year (2023)

National Pay 2023 consultation is starting soon.  

Join the discussion about next year’s pay claim with two great speakers

Glen Williams Chair of UNISON’s Local Government Service Group Executive

Amerit Rait UNISON Vice President and Greater London NEC rep and NHS worker.

Time: 8 December 2022 6 pm.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86029142908?pwd=RUtxczhwNnlhTVdGQTVPa0pTRFNQdz09

 

 

 

 

 

Breaking News: UNISON President & Vice President are joining the mass lobby at Hendon Town Hall Tuesday 1 November

News in that our UNISON National President Andrea Egan and UNISON National Vice President Amerit Rait are attending the mass lobby outside Hendon Town Hall on Tuesday 1 November from 6 pm in support of the Barnet Strikers.

“I want to thank both Andrea and Amerit for taking time out of their busy schedules to come down and support our Barnet Strikers. This is what leadership means. It’s what workers want to see from their union. Our branch is 100% behind our Barnet Strikers also known as the “Barnet Ten” and so is the leadership at the top of UNISON. I can’t wait to hear the message they will be bringing to the employer the Barnet Group who defending the indefensible at the expense of Barnet Council housing tenants. 200 repairs jobs a week are being cancelled it’s a disgrace.” (John Burgess Branch Secretary, Barnet UNISON).

Directions to the lobby: Nearest tube is Hendon Central on northern line. Turn right out of the station. It’s a 10 minute walk to the top of the hill. Turn right and 200 yards on the left is the Town Hall.

 

End.

 

 

Breaking News: Barnet Strikers are going to Parliament

News in that the Barnet Strikers have been invited to Parliament early next week.

The invite confirms that the news of the Barnet Strikers is beginning to spread beyond the boundary of the London Borough of Barnet.

The first response when we explain the dispute is always the same.

Complete disbelief that an employer would want to defend a position of refusing to pay the first 3 weeks sick pay to a low paid manual worker who was injured at work.

More on this news story later this week.

End.

 

 

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