The latest National Joint Council (NJC) pay update for April 2023 has been released, marking an important milestone for the unions involved. UNISON, GMB and Unite have submitted their pay claim, which includes a range of proposals for improved pay and conditions for staff. These include a review of NJC terms for family leave and pay, job evaluation outcomes for SEN school staff, and an additional day of annual leave for personal or well-being purposes. The National Employers have responded with a one-year offer of an increase in pay for NJC pay points 2 to 43, setting the bottom rate of pay at £11.59 with effect from 1 April 2023. While the unions have yet to accept this offer, it represents a step forward for local government workers in respect of pay.

The update regarding NJC pay for April 2023 has been announced, with various proposals being made by UNISON, GMB, and Unite. These include a review of job evaluation outcomes and a reduction in the working week. However, the National Employers have faced difficulties in providing a suitable response due to the ongoing challenge of the National Living Wage. In response, they have made a full and final offer to the unions representing the main local government NJC workforce. While this offer may lead to a bottom rate of pay of £11.59 and a minimum 3.88% pay increase, it remains to be seen whether the unions will accept it. As further updates arise, we will provide an updated blog. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.

UNISON, GMB and Unite submitted their pay claim to the National Employers. The submission to the National Employers proposed/ submitted their pay claim and a range of measures, including the consideration of a flat rate increase to hourly rates of pay to bring the minimum rate up to £15 per hour within two years.

Other noteworthy points include:

– A review and improvement of NJC terms for family leave and pay
– A review of job evaluation outcomes for school staff whose day-to-day work includes working on Special Educational Needs (SEN)
– An additional day of annual leave for personal or well-being purposes
– A homeworking allowance for staff who are required to work from home
– A reduction of the working week by two hours
– A review of the pay spine, including looking at the top end, and discussions about the link between how remuneration can be used to improve retention.

However, the National Employers expressed their difficulty in responding to the unions’ claims. One of the biggest challenges faced was dealing with the relentless pressure from the proximity of the National Living Wage (NLW) to the bottom of the NJC pay spine.

Despite challenges, the National Employers agreed unanimously on a one-year, full and final offer to unions representing the main local government NJC workforce. The offer included an increase of £1,925 (pro rata for part-time employees) to be paid as a consolidated, permanent addition on all NJC pay points 2 to 43 inclusive, among other benefits.

With this NJC Pay Update for April 2023, the new offer achieves a bottom rate of pay of £11.59, which equates to a pay increase of 9.42% for employees on pay point 2. This offer signals positive growth as an employee on the bottom pay point in April 2021 will have received an increase of £4,033 (22.0%) over the two years to April 2023.