What was UNISON's pay claim?

UNISON, alongside the other Local Government trade unions Unite and GMB, submitted a claim for an increase of £3,000 or 10%, whichever is the highest at every pay point. In addition, the claim also included a 2 hour reduction in the working week with no pay detriment, an additional day annual leave, and reviews of discriminatory pay gaps.

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What did the employers offer?

The employers offered an increase of £1,290 or 2.5%, whichever is the highest and rejected everything else with a financial cost.

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Why is UNISON balloting us?

Yet again, the pay offer from our employers is another pay cut in real terms. We’ve had years of pay cuts and we have to say enough is enough. School and council workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are being balloted.

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When will I get my ballot paper?

The ballot opens on 4 September. Ballot papers will start arriving over the next few days – they are being sent out in batches because there’s about 370,000 UNISON members in schools and councils!​​​​​​​​​​

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Is UNISON recommending how to vote?

Yes, and YES! UNISON has rejected the employers offer, and is recommending to all members to vote YES for strike action.  It's no surprise that your Branch is recommending REJECT as well.

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Shouldn’t UNISON be negotiating first?

UNISON reps spent weeks negotiating with the employers but they wouldn’t increase their offer. So now we need to make it clear how serious we are about getting a decent pay rise.

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Will my vote really make a difference?

Definitely – every single vote will make a difference. That’s because we have some really restrictive anti-union laws – so we can’t vote online, and over 50% of members must vote for us to be able to take strike action. So you and your workmates must vote!

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How will I know when I get my ballot paper?

It will arrive in an A5 bright purple envelope, it will have the UNISON logo on the front and will also say in large letters Stand Together For Better Pay, Council and School Pay 2024 on the front. It should be hard to miss!

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How do I vote?

In the bright purple envelope, you will have a ballot paper – you put a X in one of the boxes (preferably YES but No is fine to, what is important is that use your vote) then use the pre-paid, pre-addressed envelope to post the paper back to CES who are running the ballot for UNISON.

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When do I need to return my ballot paper?

Your ballot paper must be returned before 16 October. CES need to have received it by then, so really just complete and post it back as soon as you receive it.

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What if I don’t get a ballot paper?

If you haven’t had a ballot paper by 17 September, then call the Hotline immediately on 0800 0857 857 and they will check your address and send out a replacement paper.

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I’ve heard people say it’s a disaggregated ballot? What’s that?

A disaggregated ballot means that we are all being balloted by employer. So for instance in Cambridgeshire we have over 20 separate ballots – some smaller ones in schools that pay NJC pay, plus one for council workers and school workers still employed by the Council. This is the same in every branch in the country. We need to get over 50% in as many of those ballots as possible.  The Branch has produced a leaflet explaining what a disaggregated ballot is, you can download it from the Newsletters section.

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If a workmate joins now will they get a ballot paper?

Someone not already in UNISON has until 3 October to join if they want to have a vote. 

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Can people not in UNISON go on strike?

Yes, but we would always encourage someone to be in a union if they are going to strike. Plus they wouldn’t be eligible for any strike pay!

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Can agency/contract workers join and strike?

Yes, agency workers can join UNISON and can go on strike.

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Will I get strike pay?

UNISON pays £50 a day strike pay. This amount can be changed depending on how many members are taking strike action. As soon as the ballot result is known, there will be discussions and decisions made about where strikes will be and about strike pay. If we get over 50% turnout and a YES vote for action, we will keep you updated about strike dates and pay. Details on how to claim it will be available when needed.

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If we strike, we’ll lose money even with strike pay. Is it really worth striking?

When we take strike action, we win more money overall than we lose. We know it’s difficult to lose money, but without taking action we know we’ll be worse off this year already. However, if we stand together, get the vote out and fight back, we can win more.

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When we win, will the pay be backdated?

Yes, back to 1 April 2024.

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Do you know when we’ll get the money?

That will depend on when the employers give in and agree to our pay claim!

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If someone isn’t in UNISON will they also get the pay rise?

Yes, but we have more chance of getting a better pay rise if we are stronger, so ask anyone not in UNISON to join and get involved to help us win for everyone!

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Where can I find out more?

You can come to our regular NJC Branch members meetings, get updates and ask questions. They are on Teams and further information can be found on the events page, or look in your email box for our regular email and links.​​​​​