Agenda item

ENDING THE UNFAIR PAY CAP FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF

Meeting of City Council, Monday 25 September 2017 2.00 pm (Item 29.3)

Minutes:

Councillor Stevens proposed and Councillor Smith seconded a motion titled Ending the unfair pay cap for Local Government staff.

During the debate Councillor Darcy moved and Councillor Nicholson seconded an amendment to the motion. Following a vote the amendment was carried.

For the motion (47)

Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillors Aspinall, Dann, P Davey, S Davey, Evans OBE, Hendy, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Rennie, Smith, Stevens, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler, Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Churchill, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, Fletcher, Foster, James, Jordan, Martin Leaves, Michael Leaves, Mrs Leaves, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Ricketts, Wigens, Mrs Bridgeman, Riley, Storer, Mavin, Carson, Winter, Mrs Loveridge and Cook.

Against the Motion (0)

Abstain (1)

Lord Mayor

Absent / Did not vote (9)

Councillor Lowry, Penberthy, Sparling, Coker, Bowie, Singh, J Taylor, K Taylor and Fry,

Following a short debate on the amended motion Council agreed –

to note that -

a. National Joint Council for Local Government Services basic pay has fallen by 21% since 2010 in real terms

b. NJC Local Government staff had a three-year pay freeze from 2010-2012

c. NJC Local Government staff pay is the lowest in the public sector

Plymouth City Council believes the hard work and commitment shown by our staff deserve a fair and equitable pay settlement.
to support the 2018 NJC pay claim submitted by UNISON, GMB and Unite on behalf of Local Government and school workers and calls for the immediate end of this aspect of public sector pay restraint. NJC pay must not fall further behind other parts of the public sector.
to welcome the joint review of the NJC pay spine to remedy the turbulence caused by bottom-loaded pay settlements.
to call on the Government to fund a decent pay rise for NJC employees and the pay spine review.
To resolve to-

a. Inform local Trades Union representatives of our support for the pay claim and the pay spine review.

b. Actively support campaigns such as the GMB’s Paypinch (www.paypinch.org) highlighting the unfairness of the pay cap on our staff.

c. Call immediately on the Local Government Association to make urgent representations to Government to fund the NJC claim and the pay spine review and notify us of their action in this regard.

d. Write to Gary Streeter MP, Jonny Mercer MP and Luke Pollard MP requesting they join us in supporting the NJC pay claim and seeking additional funding to fund a decent pay rise and the pay spine review.