Monday, April 15, 2013

Royal Mail-strom brewing?

CWU is in negotiations with Royal Mail over pay for the current financial year. A pay rise was due on 1st April 2013, the date when the previous three-year pay deal expired.

CWU's negotiating team is seeking the following in a pay settlement for members working in Royal Mail Letters:

・ A straightforward above inflation basic pay rise, for at least two years, that is pensionable and flows through to all allowances.

・ A proper share in the ongoing profits of the company through new bonus arrangements and a replacement for Colleague Share.

・ A major review of overtime and scheduled attendance arrangements to significantly improve all hourly rates.

・ Progress on outstanding Annual Conference pay policy.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, explained: "After initially agreeing to resolve pay by the 1st April 2013, Royal Mail are now insisting that they will not make an offer until outstanding Transformation issues are resolved and there is clarity from the Union over support for their future plans.

"CWU does not accept the company's position and we are determined to achieve a settlement that genuinely rewards our members for their efforts in turning around the financial position of the company."

Pay will feature in meetings with the company planned for next week.

Workplace Savings and Benefits – from the publishers of 'Professional Pensions' and 'Financial Director' - Budget 2013: Public sector pay awards limited to 1% by Hannah Uttley, 20 March 2013

Public sector pay increases will be capped at an average of up to 1% further extending the restraint on pay in the sector.

Announced in the Chancellor's Budget, it will be left for departments and pay review bodies to determine the level of award based on affordability and individual recruitment and retention needs.

The Budget documentation said that while the majority of the public sector has been subject to pay freezes, some have continued to receive annual pay increases of 7% or more due to progression pay arrangements.

The Chancellor said the government would "seek substantial savings" through further reforms to progression pay in the Spending Round. However, the armed forces will be exempt "due to the unique nature of their careers".

Speaking on public sector pay awards in his Budget speech, Chancellor George Osborne said: "I think they are difficult to justify when others in the public sector, and millions more in the private sector, have seen pay frozen or even cut. I know that is tough but it is fair. In difficult times with the inevitable trade off between paying people more and saving jobs, we should put jobs first."
Steve Clayton

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