GMB Union lodges official pay dispute with national employers after 75% of GMB members reject woeful pay offer
GMB Union lodges official pay dispute with national employers after 75% of GMB members in local government and schools reject woeful pay offer
On Wednesday 13th October 2021, GMB met with the national local government and school employers to discuss GMB members rejection of the 1.75% pay offer, which is a pay cut in real terms. In addition to detailing how 75% of GMB members nationally rejected the offer, GMB conveyed the message from our members that they are disappointed and angry at the failure of the national employer to recognise their value and contribution.
Throughout the past year, it has been GMB members working in local government and schools that have ensured the nations’ essential public services continued and looked after and educated the children of key workers and the country’s most vulnerable children.
This pay offer is the pandemic pay offer and was the national employers opportunity to say thank you and recognise the effort, contribution and sometimes sacrifices made by local government and schools workers. Instead, the employer offered 1% less than the previous year (which was a 2.75% increase) and at a time when energy bills are higher than ever before, food is more expensive, and inflation is high and rising.
The pay offer is a pay cut in real terms and GMB members across the country have strongly rejected it. Therefore, GMB along with the other recognised NJC unions, has formally written to the national employers to lodge an official pay dispute for the 2021/22 pay round.
GMB is still urging the national employers to reopen negotiations and improve the pay offer and GMB will keep you updated.
What will happen next?
A consultative industrial action ballot will start in November 2021. This means all GMB members will get a vote to decide on whether they wish to take industrial action in protest of the woeful pay offer.
GMB will be contacting you with details of this soon.
Please ensure your details are up to date so that you do not miss your opportunity to take part in this important consultative ballot.
