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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 27 January 2026 Your Choice Barnet care workers demand fair pay, fair terms and access to LGPS — “time to end this injustice”

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Barnet Group, Disability, Local, News, Solidarity, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
27 January 2026

Your Choice Barnet care workers demand fair pay, fair terms and access to LGPS — “time to end this injustice”

Barnet UNISON has submitted a formal Pay and Terms & Conditions claim to The Barnet Group (TBG) on behalf of workers delivering adult social care through Your Choice Barnet, including staff on YCB contracts and “TBG Flex” contracts.

The union says the claim is aimed at ending a long-running “two-tier workforce”, where care and support workers delivering publicly commissioned services are not on council terms and conditions and do not have access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).



What Your Choice Barnet workers are demanding (from 1 April 2026)


The claim, submitted for the 2026/27 period, includes:


PAY


An increase of £3,000 or 10% (whichever is greater) across pay points/rates


A £15 per hour minimum rate for all staff


Applied consistently to overtime, sleep-ins/unsocial hours payments, enhancements, allowances and other pay-related payments, with no detrimental changes to existing arrangements


TERMS & CONDITIONS


A two-hour reduction in the standard working week with no loss of pay, implemented in a way that protects service users and staffing levels Harmonisation to a standard 36 hour contract


One additional day of annual leave


ENDING THE TWO-TIER WORKFORCE


A commitment to move Your Choice Barnet staff onto equivalent core terms and conditions to Barnet Council/NJC standards


A single, transparent pay structure with clear progression, equality-proofed arrangements, covering all staff including those on TBG Flex contracts


PENSIONS


Access to the LGPS, including a route-map meeting with stakeholders (TBG, Barnet Pension Fund/LBB as administering authority, and UNISON), and no detriment to staff


Barnet UNISON has requested a formal negotiation meeting and has given management four weeks to respond.




“Care workers are being exploited in one of the most expensive cities in the world”


Helen Davies, Barnet UNISON Branch Chair and UNISON SGE representative, said:


“Your Choice Barnet staff provide vital care and support to vulnerable adults, yet many are treated as second-class compared to council employees delivering public services. Keeping care workers outside council terms and conditions and excluding them from the Local Government Pension Scheme is unfair — and it amounts to exploitation of a predominantly low-paid workforce.


“This is London, one of the most expensive cities in the world. People who deliver life-changing care should not be forced to do so on worse terms and without a proper public service pension.


“It’s time to end this injustice. Barnet UNISON’s claim is straightforward: fair pay, fair conditions, and access to LGPS for the care workers who keep services going every day. We are calling on The Barnet Group to negotiate seriously and reach a fair settlement.”


Notes to editors


    

  • Your Choice Barnet delivers adult social care services on behalf of the London Borough of Barnet and is part of The Barnet Group.
    • 

  • Barnet UNISON represents care and support staff across Barnet, including staff employed by The Barnet Group and its subsidiaries.
    • 

  • The claim applies to Your Choice Barnet staff, including those on TBG contracts and “TBG Flex” contracts.
    • 



Contact


For more information, interviews, or to support the campaign:

Barnet UNISON – contactus@barnetunison.org.uk


End. 


2026.01.07 leaflet (YCB)

			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
Your Choice Barnet (Adult Social Care): UNISON pay & terms claim being submitted next week
		
		
 
	
		Anti - Racism, Barnet Group, Local, News, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign	



	
		

			
		
					

			


Barnet UNISON is preparing to submit a collective Pay & Terms and Conditions claim for the Your Choice Barnet (Adult Social Care) workforce for 2026/27.


Important: as of today, Wednesday 21 January, the claim has not been submitted.

We are giving members advance notice now so everyone understands the timetable and what happens next.


What’s happening and when


    

  • Next step: Barnet UNISON will submit the claim to management next Tuesday, 26 January, in line with the scheduled JNCC meeting.
    • 

  • After the JNCC: We will share the full details of the claim with members and publish an update on management’s response and next steps.
    • 



Why UNISON is doing this


    

  • Members across Your Choice Barnet have been clear that we need a serious, collective push on pay, terms and conditions and fair treatment for staff delivering adult social care on behalf of Barnet Council. UNISON is acting on that instruction by bringing forward a formal claim for 2026/27.
    • 

  • This is also about protecting the service: fair pay and decent conditions are essential for recruitment and retention, continuity of care and the quality of support for service users.
    • 



What you can expect from UNISON


    

  • A clear members’ briefing after the JNCC meeting on 26 January
    • 

  • A summary of management’s response and what it means for staff
    • 

  • Next-step plans, including how members can support the claim and strengthen our negotiating position
    • 



What you can do now


    

  • Make sure your contact details are up to date so you receive the members’ briefing.
    • 

  • Talk to your colleagues and encourage them to join UNISON — the stronger our membership, the stronger our leverage.
    • 



We’ll publish the claim details and a members’ update immediately after the JNCC meeting on Tuesday 26 January.


End.

			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
Barnet UNISON congratulates Andrea Egan on election as UNISON General Secretary
		
		
 
	
		Austerity, News, Solidarity	



	
		

			
		
					

			


Barnet UNISON sends our warm congratulations to Andrea Egan on her election as UNISON’s next General Secretary. (UNISON National)


Andrea will begin her five-year term on 22 January 2026, and we look forward to working with her in the year ahead to defend public services and deliver real improvements for members across local government and beyond. (UNISON National)


As Barnet UNISON, our priorities remain clear: protecting jobs and conditions, winning fair pay, tackling inequality (including equal pay), and standing up for the services our communities rely on. We’ll be engaging with Andrea’s new leadership team as 2026 begins—and we’ll keep members updated on what it means for our campaigning and negotiations in Barnet.


In solidarity,

Barnet UNISON


End. 

			

		

		
		


	
		
			
	

		
		
Holiday Pay Compensation Negotiations with Barnet Council – Barnet UNISON Fights for Every Penny
		
		
 
	
		Anti - Racism, Austerity, Local, News, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign	



	
		

			
		
					

			


Barnet UNISON is currently in negotiations with the London Borough of Barnet over compensation for underpaid holiday pay for workers who regularly work overtime.


In the middle of a cost of living crisis, when our members are struggling with rent, mortgages, food, fuel and rising debt, it is simply not acceptable that money which should have been in workers’ pay has not been paid. Our job as your union is clear:

👉 Get as much money into our members’ pockets as possible, as fairly and as quickly as we can.


We have another negotiation meeting with the employer on Monday 15 December 2025 and our aim is to secure a compensation offer that we can put to members early in the New Year.




What is the issue about?


For years, depot workers and other council staff have:


    

  • Worked regular, predictable overtime, and
    • 

  • Taken annual leave, during which their holiday pay did not reflect the overtime they usually earn.
    • 



The law – backed up by court decisions – says that when you are on holiday, you should not be financially penalised for taking that leave. Where overtime is regular, it should form part of your “normal pay” for at least part of your annual leave.


Barnet Council only started making an extra holiday-related payment on overtime from 1 April 2025. That leaves a period where many staff who worked regular overtime were very likely underpaid while on holiday.


Because of strict time limits in the legal system, we are not pursuing this through the Employment Tribunal. Instead, Barnet UNISON is:


🔹 Pursuing a collective compensation deal with Barnet Council for all affected workers.


This is not a “nice to have” – it is money our members should have had at a time when every pound really matters.




Why this matters now – hardship and the cost of living crisis


We are hearing, day in, day out, from members who are:


    

  • Skipping meals or relying on foodbanks
    • 

  • Struggling with rent and mortgage payments
    • 

  • Cutting back on heating
    • 

  • Juggling multiple jobs and overtime just to stay afloat
    • 



Many of the workers affected by this issue are low paid depot workers and other frontline staff who have kept services running through austerity, the pandemic and the current financial crisis facing the Council.


For years they have worked overtime, often at short notice and under pressure, and then lost out on pay when they took their annual leave. That is not just a legal issue – it is a fairness and dignity issue.


Barnet UNISON is absolutely clear:


We will not allow this to be swept under the carpet or reduced to a token gesture.

We are fighting for real money, for real people, facing real hardship.




What are we trying to secure?


Our objectives are:


    

  1. A fair compensation package for all affected workers who have regularly worked overtime and were underpaid while on annual leave.
    2. 

  2. A deal that recognises the higher impact on low paid workers, especially depot staff and other frontline roles.
    3. 

  3. A clear, lawful and transparent system going forward so that:

      

    • Holiday pay properly reflects regular overtime; and
      • 

    • This situation cannot happen again.
      • 

    

    4. 



We are not interested in a token, one-size-fits-all gesture that barely touches what’s been lost. Any offer will be:


    

  • Modelled and tested against what members could reasonably have expected to receive, and
    • 

  • Consulted on with members before UNISON takes a position.
    • 





What happens next?


    

  • 15 December 2025 – Barnet UNISON meets with Barnet Council alongside the other unions. We will push to agree:

      

    • Terms of Reference
      • 

    • Information disclosure
      • 

    • A negotiation timetable
      • 

    

    • 

  • Early 2026 – Our goal is to secure a compensation proposal to take to members early in the New Year.
    • 

  • Any proposal will be:

      

    • Explained clearly
      • 

    • Subject to consultation
      • 

    • And, if appropriate, a ballot of affected members.
      • 

    

    • 



If the Council drags its feet or presents an offer that is clearly unfair, Barnet UNISON will consult members on next steps, including the possibility of industrial action.




Solidarity statement from Helen Davies, Branch Chair, Barnet UNISON


“Our members are living through a brutal cost of living crisis.


The very people who keep this borough going – depot workers, street scene staff, care workers, those working long hours on overtime – have been short-changed on their holiday pay for years.


Barnet UNISON is absolutely determined to get every penny we can back into our members’ pockets. This is not abstract negotiation – it’s about heating, food, rent, debt and dignity.


We will go into the meeting on 15 December with a clear message: our members cannot afford more delay, and they will not accept a token gesture.


We are asking all our members to stand together in solidarity. When we fight together, we win together.” – Helen Davies, Branch Chair, Barnet UNISON




If you are a Barnet Council worker who regularly works overtime and you’re not currently a UNISON member, now is the time to join.


📩 If you have questions about whether you may be affected by this issue, please contact the Barnet UNISON office.


End.

			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
What grade am I on – and how does it link to National Pay?
		
		
 
	
		Austerity, Membership, News, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign	



	
		

			
		
					

			


*Above are Barnet Council Grades as from 1 April 2025*


Barnet UNISON published the London Borough of Barnet pay and grading structure from 1 April 2025 (Grades A–M and senior grades 8–1, showing the minimum and maximum salary for each grade).


But we know a lot of members still ask:


    

  • What grade am I actually on?
    • 

  • What does “minimum” and “maximum” mean?
    • 

  • How do I move up within my grade (and when do I move up a grade)?
    • 

  • How does this connect to the National Pay Award?
    • 



How the grades work (in plain English)


1) Your grade is attached to your post (job), not to you as a person.

Barnet uses a job evaluation scheme to decide which grade a post sits in. The grade has a pay range (a minimum entry point and a maximum “fully competent” point). (barnet.moderngov.co.uk)


2) Movement within a grade is progression up the pay range.

Progression takes you from the lower end towards the top of your grade. Barnet’s Pay Policy has described progression within grades A–M as linked to performance levels until you reach the top of the grade. (barnet.moderngov.co.uk)


3) Moving up a grade usually means changing the job, not “time served”.

In most cases, the way you move to a higher grade is by getting a higher-graded post (promotion/restructure), or by a formal job evaluation/re-grading process if the job has genuinely changed.


4) National Pay affects your salary even though Barnet has local grades.

Local government unions negotiate a National Pay Award, and Barnet then applies the uplift to the local pay structure—this is why you’ll see Barnet UNISON publishing updated grades “including the National Pay increase”, often with backdating to 1 April. (barnetunison.me.uk)


How to find your grade quickly


Most members can find it on one (or more) of these:


    

  • your contract / statement of particulars
    • 

  • your job description or advert for the role
    • 

  • your payslip / HR portal (where it lists grade or salary details)
    • 

  • by asking your manager/HR (and if you hit problems, contact the union)
    • 



Book a Barnet UNISON Grade Briefing for your workplace


Barnet UNISON can organise a short “Grade Briefing” for your team in a school, depot, office or service — in person or online.


In the session we can cover:


    

  • how Barnet’s grades A–M and 8–1 work (min/max pay)
    • 

  • how progression works within a grade (and what to do if it isn’t happening fairly) (barnet.moderngov.co.uk)
    • 

  • how the National Pay Award feeds into Barnet grades and backpay (barnetunison.me.uk)
    • 

  • what to do if you think your grade is wrong (re-grading/job evaluation routes)
    • 

  • Q&A on payslips, overtime rates, part-time/term-time issues (where relevant)
    • 



To book a briefing, email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk or call 020 8359 2088 with:


    

  • workplace/service (e.g. school, depot)
    • 

  • preferred format (in-person/online)
    • 

  • a couple of suggested dates/times
    • 

  • approximate numbers attending
    • 



Barnet UNISON contact details: Room 1.9, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 4EW.


End.


 


 


 


 

			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
Back dated pay delivered for our members –
		
		
 
	
		Local, News, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign	



	
		

			
		
					

			


Barnet UNISON has secured confirmation from London Borough of Barnet (LBB) that agency workers in Street Scene services are due to receive their backdated National Pay Award money in their payslip at the end of November 2025.


LBB paid the backdated award to directly employed staff in the August payroll, but concerns were raised with us that agency workers had not yet received the back pay they were owed. Barnet UNISON immediately contacted the Council, and we have now received clear confirmation from LBB that the backdated payment should be made to agency workers in the end-of-November 2025 payslip.


This is about fairness — and it’s about putting money where it belongs: in workers’ pockets. In a cost-of-living crisis, every pound matters, and Barnet UNISON will keep pushing to make sure nobody is left behind because of their employment status.


Helen Davies, Barnet UNISON Branch Chair, said:


“This is really welcome news for agency workers in Street Scene services. Barnet UNISON acted quickly, raised the issue directly with LBB, and we’ve now secured confirmation that the backdated pay should be in the payslip at the end of November 2025. At a time when bills are still rising and our members are feeling the strain, we will keep working relentlessly — year in, year out — to put more money back into members’ pockets and make sure people get what they’re owed.”


If you’re an agency worker in Street Scene and your payslip at the end of November 2025 doesn’t reflect the backdated pay, contact Barnet UNISON straight away so we can escalate it.


End.


 

			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
Barnet UNISON secures London Living Wage to be paid now not next April for our APCOA members
		
		
 
	
		Austerity, Local, News, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign	



	
		

			
		
					

			


Barnet UNISON has secured an early win in our campaign to get the new London Living Wage (LLW) of £14.80 paid immediately across outsourced Barnet Council services — not delayed until April 2026. Following our branch’s letter to contractors delivering council services, Parking Enforcement contractor APCOA has confirmed they will implement the new LLW rate now. (barnetunison.me.uk)


This is exactly why Barnet UNISON keeps pushing, every single year: when pay rises are delayed, it’s low-paid workers who carry the cost — through higher rent, higher bills, and higher food prices — while services rely on their dedication every day. (barnetunison.me.uk)


Helen Davies, Barnet UNISON Branch Chair, said:


“This is really welcome news for our members. It shows what collective pressure can achieve — when we push, employers move. In a cost of living crisis, workers can’t be told to wait months for money they’ve already earned in rising prices. Barnet UNISON will keep going, year in, year out, to make sure pay rises reach our members’ pockets as soon as possible.”


Barnet UNISON will now continue pressing other contractors to follow APCOA’s lead and implement the LLW uplift without delay, because our members — and Barnet’s services — can’t afford to wait. (barnetunison.me.uk)


End.


 

			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
UNISON General Secretary election has started -USE YOUR VOTE
		
		
 
	
		National, News, UNISON Campaign	



	
		

			
		
					

			


There are only two candidates to vote for in this election.


Barnet UNISON reps nominated Andrea Egan their reasons are set out above .


We are in the biggest cost of living crisis in 77 years.


Our members need strong leadership to win pay campaigns and to end outsourcing.


Please use YOUR VOTE.






For more details about the Election see below.


Ballot Papers


The despatch of ballot paper(s) to individual members will begin on 28 October 2025.


The ballot pack will consist of:


    

  • a covering letter from the union
    • 

  • a booklet containing the candidates’ election addresses and a full list of nominating bodies
    • 

  • ballot paper(s)
    • 

  • a return envelope.
    • 



Where members have previously requested materials in a special format (for example in large print), they will automatically receive the ballot pack in that format. Any additional requests should be made to the ballot helpline.


Ballot Helpline


If individual members have not received a paper by 11 November 2025, they should contact the ballot helpline via UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.


Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968.


If callers can have their membership number to hand when calling, that would help.


The latest that members can request a ballot paper is 19 November 2025 in order to ensure members have the opportunity to vote in time.


Please note that the ballot helpline can only deal with queries from individual members. If branches believe there is a widescale problem with receipt of ballot papers amongst their members (for instance if whole departments or geographical areas have not received ballot papers) then the branch should contact the Member Liaison Unit via elections@unison.co.uk.


Result and close of ballot


The deadline for receipt of ballot papers by the scrutineer is 5pm on 25 November 2025.


The result of this election will be announced on 17 December 2025.


Eligibility to vote


All full members who are on the union’s membership register as of 28 July 2025, will be entitled to vote in this election.


Members not on the membership register on 28 July 2025 will not be able to vote. 


End. 


 

			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Barnet UNISON pushes for immediate London Living Wage uplift — “our members can’t wait six months”
		
		
 
	
		Anti - Racism, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Local, News, Solidarity, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet	



	
		

			
		
					

			


London, 31 October 2025 — Barnet UNISON is relentlessly pursuing the urgent implementation of the new London Living Wage (LLW) of £14.80 for all workers delivering Barnet Council services — now, not in six months’ time.


The union has formally written to every Council officer responsible for outsourced contracts — including Cleaning (Norse), Social Care (Your Choice Barnet), Security (Blue Nine), Parking Enforcement (APCOA), and Schools Catering (ISS) — urging them to instruct their contractors to uplift pay with immediate effect in line with the Living Wage Foundation’s new London rate.


Helen Davies, Branch Chair, Barnet UNISON, said:

“Delaying the £14.80 London Living Wage until April means months more of avoidable hardship for low-paid staff who keep services running for Barnet residents. Our members are already making impossible choices — cutting back on heating, skipping meals, falling behind on rent — in one of the most expensive capital cities in the world. The uplift is needed now to protect health, dignity and service quality.”


Barnet UNISON says the case for immediate action is overwhelming. Households are still facing elevated energy bills, rising rents, and ongoing increases in food prices. Implementing £14.80 now would provide urgent relief, help retain experienced staff, reduce agency churn, and protect continuity of frontline services across Barnet.


Barnet UNISON’s call to action


    

  • Apply £14.80 LLW now across all relevant contracts and subcontractors.
    • 

  • Confirm a short, time-bound implementation plan and back-pay arrangements.
    • 

  • Work with Barnet UNISON to resolve any operational barriers quickly.
    • 



ENDS


Media contact:

Email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk


Notes to editors:


    

  • The Living Wage Foundation announced the 2025–26 London Living Wage of £14.80 on 22 October 2025 and expects accredited employers to implement as soon as possible (deadline 1 May 2026). (livingwage.org.uk)
    • 

  • Energy bills: Ofgem’s price cap for 1 Oct–31 Dec 2025 is £1,755 for a typical dual-fuel household — up on the previous quarter and still well above pre-crisis levels. (Ofgem)
    • 

  • Rents: ONS reports UK private rents up about 5–6% year-on-year; London’s rental inflation was 5.3% in the 12 months to September 2025. Average rent remains highest in London. (Office for National Statistics)
    • 

  • Food prices: The annual inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages was 4.5% in September 2025 (ONS). Prices are still rising year-on-year even as the rate eases. (Office for National Statistics)
    • 

  • Cost of living in London: Mercer’s 2024 Cost of Living City Ranking places London 8th globally, underscoring persistent affordability pressures in the capital. (Mercer)
    • 


			

		

		
		


	

			  

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