The Branch submitted a claim, for a 2% annual cost of living award for the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 with a further 1% for Performance Contribution Awards. Since this time we have waited to hear what will be offered. The delay was due to two reasons. Firstly, for the conclusion of the national pay agreement for people in National Joint Council rates, and secondly, for Officers and Councillors locally to conclude their discussions on a final award for those on MB pay. Recent local practice has been for those on MB pay and above to receive 1% less than the final settlement for NJC pay, with a further 1% of salary budget retained for Performance Contribution payments.

Members have asked what the Branch will be doing.....
At the moment Branch Officers are investigating what other local authorities have either agreed or implemented. They will also be looking carefully at how Performance Contribution payments are awarded. However, the Branch Officers would like to know your view on what has been awarded and what you would be willing to do if you are unhappy with what has been awarded. Please send your comments to unison@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Please note:
Employees paid on or above scp M280 on the Management Band Pay Scales are subject to political restriction. However, this does not restrict these members talking to their union.

TUC (UK) brief on true cost of public sector pensions
Excerpt from TUC press release (28 July 2009):

"The claims by business groups, right wing pressure groups and opposition politicians that public sector pensions are unaffordable, out of control and produce easy immediate public expenditure savings are all myths, according to a new TUC briefing published today (Thursday).

Critics who say that public sector pensions are unaffordable or out of control often misrepresent the figures by presenting pension commitments that go decades into the future as an enormous final demand bill that has to be paid all in one go, says the TUC.

The truth is that public sector pensions now cost around 1.5 per cent of GDP and while this is forecast to slowly rise to 2.0 per cent over the next twenty years it then falls slightly. Public sector pensions cost less than state pensions and long term care, which are also set to increase as the population ages..."

From: www.tuc.org.uk/pensions/tuc-16806-f0.cfm

Briefing note (TUC, Jul. 28): <http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/publicsectorpensions.pdf> (PDF)