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Local government employers have today submitted a pay offer for skilled craft workers, which has been branded derisory.
The 50,000 skilled workers whose pay is based on the Joint Negotiating Committee “Red Book” have been offered a pay increase for 2007/8 of just 2 per cent.
The trade union side submitted their pay claim of 5% or £1,000 whichever is the greater in March. The highly detailed pay claim included a whole range of pay issues, which were specific to craft workers. Despite the incredible delay in responding to the unions’ submission the employers have failed to address any of the more specific issues mentioned in the claim.
Alan Ritchie, general secretary of UCATT, the largest craft union in local government, said: “This offer is derisory. The manner in which it has been received, reveals that the local government employers have complete contempt for their craft workers.”
Mr Ritchie added: “To say that I and UCATT are disappointed with a 2 per cent pay offer would be an understatement. The union’s Executive Council will now meet in the near future to formulate the union’s response.”