The NJC unions have lodged the pay and terms and conditions claims for local government (‘Green Book’) staff for 2021 which seek:
A substantial increase with a minimum of 10% on all spinal column points
Introduction of a homeworking allowance for all staff who are working from home
A national minimum agreement on homeworking policies for all councils
A reduction of the working week to 35 hours with no loss of pay, and a reduction to 34 hours a week in London. Part-time staff to be given a choice of a pro rata reduction, or retaining the same hours and being paid a higher percentage of FTE
A minimum of 25 days annual leave, plus public holidays and statutory days, for all starting employees, plus an extra day holiday on all other holiday rates that depend on service
An agreement on a best practice national programme of mental health support for all local authorities and school staff
A joint review of the provisions in the Green Book for maternity / paternity / shared parental / adoption leave
The National Employers will be meeting later this week for an initial discussion. Councils will be consulted during March at the usual round of virtual pay consultation briefings. The National Employers will consider feedback from these before responding formally to the unions, on a date yet to be agreed, but probably in April or May.
The anniversary date is 1st April, which is likely to have passed by then, but any pay increase would be backdated to that date.