Common Agendas dictate central pay negotiations

Branch Representatives from the Non Departmental Public Bodies (NDPB) Branches recently met to discuss common areas of work.

Despite being completely separate employers it soon became apparent how similar their pay and bargaining issues were.

"We knew the Chief Executives and other senior officers met regularly, said Rebecca Noon Branch Secretary SEPA, but we were all amazed at how the same issues were being pushed in a similar fashion."

Pay being top of the agenda, negotiated annually, it's the most problematic. Although negotiations are technically with each NDPB management team, the Scottish Executive are the pay masters and set strict pay guidelines annually.

"We feel UNISON should be pushing the Scottish Executive to talk to us on pay. It's extremely frustrating trying to negotiate a pay award with a management who claim they have no room to negotiate but must adhere to the strict pay guidance", said Peter Ritchie Branch Secretary Care Commission.

NDPB Branches will continue to hold regular NDPB group meetings, share common issues and agree joint strategies. As part of that agenda Joe Di Paola, Scottish Organiser - Bargaining, has asked the Scottish Executive Pay Unit for a meeting to to discuss pay agendas in NDPBs. Both to influence and understand the Scottish Executive's position on pay agendas.

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