K:localgov\youthandcommunityworkers\jnc\lg192008.doc\ga\jj

Gill Archer 020 7551 1340

Marian Boston 020 7551 1549

Jennifer Jones 020 7551 1540

To: Secretaries of Local Government Branches in England and Wales

(Scotland and Northern Ireland – for information)

Regional Heads of Local Government

Registered Professional/Sectional Bodies - for information

Members of the Youth and Community Workers’ Committee

Youth and Community Worker Contacts

4 March 2008

The UNISON National Youth and Community Committee has discussed the contents

of the JNC pay claim for 2008/9, taking into account factors outlined in this circular.

As branches will know, acceptance of the 2007 pay award was linked to the

establishment of a JNC Working Party to discuss pay in 2008 with ‘nothing ruled in

and nothing ruled out.’ This first meets on 19 March 2008. The Committee therefore

felt that although the settlement date for the JNC claim is September 2008, the

consultation process should start earlier now to build up momentum around our claim.

It is clear that a serious campaign is needed both at national and branch level in light

of the Government’s position set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review for a

limit on public sector pay increases consistent with a 2% inflation target for the next

three years. It will be vital that branches talk to employers and councilors at a local

level about this year’s claim and engage them in discussion over the level of inflation,

average earnings and gain a clear understanding of what employers are considering.

The Committee considered feedback on the 2007-8 pay campaign and the economic

factors which are summarised below. It was agreed that the claim should be for a

headline figure of 5.2%.

2

RPI inflation is at its highest level for many years and has stood at over 4% for most of

2007. Below are the key indicators for your consideration:

2008 though some economists have predicted higher rates driven by rising

domestic fuel costs.

inflation target for the next three years

public sector 3.3%. As private sector pay settlements continue to respond to the

rise in inflation, so the gap between private and public sector widens ever further

11.4%, but this is not in line with inflation which over the same period has risen by

12.5%, or average earnings across the whole economy, which have increased by

13.4%

The Committee also considered whether to include a terms and conditions element to

the 2008/9 pay claim. It was noted that agreement has already been reached to have

a JNC best practice policy on TOIL to apply from 1 April 2009 and that the employers

are currently consulting on the Staff Side’s proposals for this (submitted as part of the

2006 pay claim.)

The consistently high level of inflation over the last year has had a damaging effect on

the cost of living for youth and community workers. Above rate of inflation increases in

key areas such as housing, fuel and energy, transport, council tax and childcare costs

support our evidence for a 5.2% pay award. This is particularly relevant for low paid

staff who proportionately pay far more for any cost of living increase than those on the

higher pay bands.

The Committee noted that pay agreements from previous years did not maintain our

members’ pay at the level of inflation or average earnings.

In conclusion, the Committee agreed to consult branches on submitting the following

proposals for the Staff Side claim:

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up of the losses over the last three years

Branches are asked to consult youth and community members on the proposed claim

attached.

Best wishes

Heather Wakefield

National Secretary

Local Government Service Group

Please provide the branch responses to the following questions:

Do you agree that the claim should seek to reduce the number of points overlapping

between the pay ranges?

Do you agree the claim should seek to increase pay at the lowest rate by deletion of the

two bottom pay points?

Do you agree the claim should not include any terms and conditions elements?

Are there any further comments you have on contents of the claim?