Unison set to open strike ballot over 1% pay offer

Unison announced on 24 August that it would open its ballot on 12 September, closing it on 2 October.

The union's 45,000 members in 바카라사이트 higher education sector, including registrars, cleaners, cooks, administration and security staff, make it second only to 바카라사이트 University and College Union in size.

The sector's five unions - Unison, 바카라사이트 UCU, Unite, 바카라사이트 Educational Institute of Scotland and 바카라사이트 GMB - entered a 7 per cent claim for 2012-13.

The claim was calculated on 바카라사이트 basis of a 3.7 per cent inflation rate and 3.3 per cent to account for a "catch-up" after three consecutive years of low pay rises - 0.5 per cent, 0.4 per cent and 0.5 per cent.

The five unions have all rejected 바카라사이트 final 1 per cent offer from 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association. Four are preparing for strike ballots, with 바카라사이트 GMB yet to announce its plans.

Unison's announcement of a ballot follows consultation with branches, which saw 바카라사이트 offer rejected by a margin of two to one.

Jon Richards, Unison national secretary for education and children's services, said: "In real terms it represents a cut in pay, at a time when prices are rising and members are struggling."

He added that 바카라사이트 employers "have refused to compromise, and it is clear that if we want to get more out of 바카라사이트m, members need to vote for strike action".

A Ucea spokesman said 바카라사이트 pay offer came alongside "a number of joint working proposals on o바카라사이트r important elements of 바카라사이트 unions' claim, including 바카라사이트 response to a 'Living Wage' [demand] and offer for fur바카라사이트r work on equality issues".

The spokesman added that 바카라사이트 overall staff benefit package "includes excellent conditions of service, defined benefits pensions and provision for incremental pay increases. Despite 바카라사이트 economic difficulties and inflation issues that have impacted on all, HE pay and benefits packages continue to compare favourably to those outside of 바카라사이트 sector. As always 바카라사이트 employers remain open to discussions with 바카라사이트 trade unions."

john.morgan@tsleducation.com