Page 1 - In Force Winter 2017_Neat

in force
WINTER 2017

The newsletter of the Leicestershire Police branch of UNISON
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Negotiations continue on pay offer

Negotiations are still ongoing after a (UNISON, UNITE and GMB) received the clearly the offer on the table is
formal pay offer to police staff was put offer and each union has now taken it to disappointing in this context.
forward by the employers. its respective police committees for initial “We were also asking for a five per cent
The offer, made after the Police Staff consideration. These meetings will increase on the standby allowance, which
Council (PSC) meeting on 25 October, is: determine what approach each union has been met with an offer of just one per
l An increase of one per cent on all pay would like the Trade Union Side to take in cent, and we wanted to see the removal of
points the pay negotiations. the two lowest pay points in the PSC pay
l A non-consolidated payment to the Once the individual trade union spine, a claim that has not been
value of one per cent of basic pay (on committees have met, the Trade Union addressed.
all pay points using 2016/17 pay rates) Side will then reconvene to agree the “The backdrop to this is that while our
paid in monthly instalments approach to the offer. pay has been falling in real terms the
l An increase of one per cent to standby Chris Hanrahan, branch secretary of Retail Prices Index of inflation hit a new
allowance from £29.17 to £29.46 Leicestershire Police UNISON, said: “Our high of 3.9 per cent in September this
l Each element of the offer to be pay claim for police staff this year was for year.”
backdated to 1 September 2017. a five per cent or £1,000 increase on PSC Look out for updates from UNISON as
The Police Staff Trade Union Side pay points, whichever is the greater so negotiations continue.

Pay Up Now – campaign sparks Commons debate

More than 140,000 people have signed the more flexible approach on pay. UNISON has pledged to keep up the
UNISON backed Pay Up Now petition calling “We still need to deal with our country’s pressure until it gets:
on the Government to scrap the pay cap and debts to ensure we have a strong economy l An end to the pay cap
give public servants a meaningful pay rise. to enable us to invest in our public services. l Government money made available for
This has now triggered a debate in the This means that we will continue to take a an immediate pay rise for all public
House of Commons which has been balanced approach to public spending. sector workers
scheduled for 4 December. “The Government will consider each l An end to Government interference in
“This UNISON petition states that every specific workforce to ensure pay is set so bargaining arrangements for all public
single person who works in public services that we can continue to both attract and sector pay.
needs, and deserves, a pay rise and therefore hold on to the excellent staff that support Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary,
demands that the Government finds extra our world-leading public services. believes the tide may be turning.
funding for public sector pay so that “Before we make final decisions on pay He explains: “The Government is now
employers can put workers’ pay up now,” awards, we will seek the views of the eight under real pressure to scrap the one per cent
says Chris Hanrahan, Leicestershire Police independent pay review bodies, which will cap on public sector wages and UNISON is
UNISON branch secretary. consider the evidence on how we ensure we leading the fight to get you the pay rise you
Nevertheless, the Treasury’s response attract and retain the very best people deserve. More and more people are listening
to the petition, posted on the UK within our public services, like giving people and supporting our Pay Up Now campaign.
Government Parliament and Petitions more flexibility over their working hours. “We can’t miss this opportunity. They
website, states: “Public sector workers “They will report in Spring 2018, at which won’t pay up if we don’t all speak up. So,
deserve to have fulfilling jobs that are point we will consider their please get involved in our campaign and
fairly rewarded. On 12 September we recommendations and announce public help us win. Together we can do it.”
announced a move away from the one per sector pay awards for each of those You can sign the petition here: https://
cent public sector pay policy towards a workforces.” petition.parliament.uk/petitions/200032

INSIDE Assaults bill wins Force reps play full Praise for CMD in
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