Category: Solidarity

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.

 

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)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Barnet UNISON urges The Barnet Group to implement new London Living Wage now

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

London, 31 October 2025 — Barnet UNISON has written to The Barnet Group (TBG) calling for the immediate implementation of the new London Living Wage of £14.80 for all eligible staff, rather than waiting until 1 April.

Barnet UNISON says the cost-of-living crisis is continuing to hit low-paid workers hard and that bringing in the uplift now would provide urgent relief for key frontline staff who support Barnet residents every day.

Helen Davies Barnet UNISON Branch Chair, said:
“Delaying the £14.80 London Living Wage until April means months more of avoidable hardship for the lowest-paid staff in one of the most expensive cities in the world. Our members are telling us they’re choosing between heating and eating. Implementing the new rate now is the right, fair and practical step—and it will also help retain experienced staff and sustain services for residents.”

In its letter to TBG’s Chief Executive, Barnet UNISON requests:

  • Applying the £14.80 London Living Wage with the next available payroll; and
  • A clear timetable to uplift relevant contracted workers within TBG’s control in line with Living Wage commitments.

Barnet UNISON has asked to meet urgently with TBG to agree the implementation plan.

ENDS

Media contact:
Barnet UNISON contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Notes to editors:

  • The London Living Wage is an independently calculated hourly rate based on the real cost of living in the capital.
  • The new rate is £14.80, up from £13.85.
  • Barnet UNISON represents workers across The Barnet Group delivering housing and support services to residents.

 

Victory for BELS Staff! Annual Leave and Paternity Rights Win for UNISON Members

Austerity, Local, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

Barnet UNISON is proud to announce another win for our members — this time at Barnet Education and Learning Service (BELS).

After persistent negotiation led by our BELS UNISON representative, and in collaboration with other trade unions, BELS employees will now receive 31 days of annual leave and two weeks’ paternity leave, bringing them in line with London Borough of Barnet employees.



BELS UNISON Rep said:

“I am pleased to confirm that BELS are implementing 31 days annual leave for all BELS staff. Whilst there are still areas that need to be addressed, like the inequality in the pension offering, I am happy to see that BELS have listened to UNISON members’ requests and have made a step in bringing us closer to parity with our colleagues working in Barnet Council.”


Helen Davies, Barnet UNISON Branch Chair, said:

“This is what trade union persistence looks like — real improvements in conditions for our members. Every step towards parity between BELS and Council staff matters. We will keep fighting until every member working in a council-owned company gets the full rights, pay and pensions they deserve.”




BELS is a Local Authority Trading Company (LATC), 100% owned by Barnet Council, delivering vital education services on behalf of the borough. Barnet UNISON has long campaigned to bring BELS back in-house, so staff delivering public services enjoy the same pay, pension and conditions as directly employed council workers.


Our next target is access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) — the public service pension scheme available to council employees. Despite being wholly owned by the Council, BELS staff are currently denied access, a decision that UNISON believes is unfair and discriminatory.


An Equal Pay claim has already been registered for BELS staff, forming part of UNISON’s wider claim across Barnet Council and The Barnet Group (TBG).


This latest win shows what can be achieved when members are organised and determined.

Together, we are stronger. Join UNISON today and be part of the fight for fairness, equality and respect at work.


For more information email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk


End.


 


 

			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
Barnet launches major Equal Pay action spanning council and LATCs — ‘EasyCouncil’ faces first London-wide test case
		
		
 
	
		Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Local, National, News, Schools, Solidarity, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet	



	
		

			
		
					

			
PRESS RELEASE: For immediate release: 


Barnet launches major Equal Pay action spanning council and LATCs — ‘EasyCouncil’ faces first London-wide test case


Barnet UNISON has today submitted three collective grievances triggering a borough-wide Equal Pay claim across the London Borough of Barnet, The Barnet Group (TBG) and Barnet Education & Learning Service (BELS) — the council’s two wholly owned arm’s-length companies (LATCs).


Branded “EasyCouncil” during its peak outsourcing years, Barnet now faces an Equal Pay challenge that cuts across council services and its LATCs, echoing the ground-breaking 2023 Glasgow decision confirming that local authority trading companies are not a shield against Equal Pay liability where the council is the single source capable of rectifying pay inequality.


Helen Davies, Branch Chair, Barnet UNISON, said:

“Women in Barnet’s schools, care and community services have waited long enough. We’ve now filed Equal Pay grievances with all three employers because the evidence is overwhelming — and because LATC status doesn’t make discrimination disappear. If Southampton, Sheffield and Birmingham can settle multi-million-pound claims, so can Barnet.”


Barnet UNISON’s case covers multiple strands including task-and-finish uplifts, Christmas bonus payments, DLO payments, and pension access issues for LATC staff. The union is seeking a negotiated, borough-wide settlement framework that treats council and LATC workers consistently, rather than siloed processes.


A fast-growing national picture


Barnet’s action lands as councils across Britain confront Equal Pay liabilities:


    

  1. Southampton City Council – Settlement agreed (July 2025) for ~800 staff; task-and-finish disparity.
    2. 

  2. Sheffield City Council – Agreement (Sept 2025): ~3,600 staff / ~260 roles; ~£36m redress.
    3. 

  3. Birmingham City Council – Framework to settle (Dec 2024) following Section 114.
    4. 

  4. Coventry City Council – ~680 claims ongoing (2025); >£30m exposure; ET listed Nov 2026.
    5. 

  5. Brighton & Hove City Council – Claims lodged/flagged (2024–25), thousands indicated.
    6. 

  6. Bradford MDC – Legal action launched (July 2025) for female-dominated roles.
    7. 

  7. Knowsley Council – Union warns of “tens of millions” exposure (Oct 2025).
    8. 

  8. Leeds City Council – Unions inviting case forms (2024–25).
    9. 

  9. Derby City Council – Ongoing disputes; >£1.5m spent defending cases.
    10. 

  10. BCP Council – Corporate papers flag equal-pay litigation risk (2024–25).
    
Scotland:
    11. 

  11. Glasgow City Council – Continuing settlements/updates (2023–25); key LATC precedent.
    12. 

  12. Fife Council – Tribunal success reported (July 2022); further claims lodged.
    13. 

  13. Falkirk, Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire – Equal-pay disputes/strikes (2024).
    14. 



Helen Davies added:

“This could be the first of several London Equal Pay cases. Barnet helped pioneer outsourcing; now it should lead on putting pay equality right — across the council and the companies it owns.”


Call to the employer


Barnet UNISON has invited the Council, TBG and BELS to enter a Memorandum of Understanding for structured negotiations covering data disclosure, scope, timelines and remedies, so staff don’t wait years for justice.


Media contact:

Barnet UNISON – contactus@barnetunison.org.uk


Notes to editors:


    

  • Recent settlements referenced include Southampton (UNISON South East), Sheffield (Sheffield City Council), and Birmingham (City Council/union statements).
    • 

  • Barnet UNISON represents staff employed by Barnet Council, The Barnet Group, and BELS.
    • 

  • The Glasgow (2023) Equal Pay outcome reinforced that council-owned LATCs can fall within the single-source test for Equal Pay liability.
    • 


			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
Holiday Pay Update – UNISON Awaits Council Response
		
		
 
	
		Austerity, Local, News, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign	



	
		

			
		
					

			


Barnet UNISON has formally requested a meeting with Barnet Council to begin negotiations over back pay for staff who were underpaid holiday pay on overtime.


We first raised this issue in July 2025, when we informed members that the law has been clear since 2014 (Bear Scotland v Fulton) — holiday pay must include regular overtime. Despite this, Barnet Council only started making correct payments from April 2025.


UNISON’s position remains that staff have been underpaid for years, and we are seeking a collective compensation payment for all affected workers.


Payroll and HR services were run by Capita when the legal duty first arose, and we believe Barnet Council should seek to recoup any costs from Capita, not deny staff what they are owed.


Management has told us they are “considering legal issues” and will arrange a meeting, but UNISON has been waiting since July for this response. Our members deserve answers, not delays.


If you regularly work overtime, this issue affects you.

👉 Email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk for updates and to make sure you are part of the campaign.


✊ Holiday Pay Delayed is Holiday Pay Denied.

Barnet UNISON will continue to fight until staff are paid what they are owed.


End.

			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
UNISON Raises Alarm Over Plan to Record Workers and Residents All Day
		
		
 
	
		Austerity, Health and Safety, Local, News, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign	



	
		

			
		
					

			


Barnet UNISON has raised serious concerns about a new requirement for parking enforcement staff to wear body-worn cameras that are switched on for the entire duration of their shifts.


The change, reportedly requested by senior officers at Barnet Council and being implemented by private contractor APCOA, marks a significant departure from the current practice — where body cameras are only activated when a Penalty Charge Notice is issued.


John Burgess, Branch Secretary of Barnet UNISON, said:


“We are deeply concerned about the impact this could have on our members’ right to privacy at work — as well as on the rights of Barnet residents, including children and vulnerable people, who may be filmed without their knowledge or consent.


We believe this change is excessive and disproportionate, and we’ve asked for an urgent explanation from both APCOA and Barnet Council. We are still waiting for a response.”


UNISON recognises that body-worn cameras can play a role in supporting staff safety in certain situations. However, blanket surveillance throughout an entire shift risks creating a culture of mistrust and surveillance, without evidence that it improves outcomes.


The union has now launched a consultation with its members on the contract to seek their views on the change.


“We want to hear directly from the staff affected. We’ve launched a confidential survey asking if they support having the camera on all day — and if they’d be prepared to take further action if this policy is forced through without proper consultation,” said Burgess.


UNISON has called on both APCOA and Barnet Council to pause implementation of the policy until full consultation has taken place and the privacy and data protection implications have been properly addressed.


  


Notes to editors:


    

  • UNISON is the recognised trade union for parking enforcement officers in Barnet.
    • 

  • TUPE consultation is legally required when contracts are transferred between employers.
    • 

  • The proposed change in camera usage was raised less than four weeks before the planned contract handover on 1 November 2025.
    • 



 


End.

			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
Barnet UNISON Statement on Staff Parking Charges
		
		
 
	
		Austerity, Local, News, Recruitment, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign	



	
		

			
		
					

			


Barnet UNISON Statement on Staff Parking Charges


Barnet UNISON is very disappointed with the council’s decision to reintroduce parking charges for staff from 1 October.


We know that many of our members rely on their car to carry out their jobs – especially those visiting schools, residents and multiple sites in the borough. Introducing additional charges at a time when staff are already struggling with the cost of living crisis will only add to the financial pressure on our workforce.


While the council has acknowledged that the majority of staff who responded to the consultation opposed these proposals, they have nonetheless decided to press ahead. This raises serious questions about how much weight was given to staff feedback during the process.


We are particularly concerned about:


    

  • The impact of these charges on lower-paid staff.
    • 

  • The fairness of expecting staff to cover the costs of council lease arrangements while no subsidy is provided for other forms of travel.
    • 

  • The practical consequences for staff whose roles require frequent travel during the working day.
    • 

  • The effect these additional costs will have on morale, recruitment and retention.
    • 



Barnet UNISON will continue to make these concerns known directly to the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council. To strengthen our case, we need to hear from you.


👉 Please email us your views on this decision to contactus@barnetunison.org.uk . Let us know what it will mean for you personally – whether in terms of your ability to carry out your role, your finances, or your wellbeing. We will ensure that members’ experiences are shared with senior management and elected councillors.


Your feedback is crucial. The more voices we have, the stronger we can be in challenging the impact of these charges on staff.


In solidarity,

Barnet UNISON

			

		

		
		


	

			  

					
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