This is the best offer we are going to get through negotiation. As a democratic trade union the decision now rests with Prospect members who now have the opportunity to vote on the offer.
The ballot will open on Thursday 17 June 2010 and close at midday on Friday 25 June 2010.
Each Prospect member will receive a numbered ballot paper from a committee representative. Ballot papers must be returned via the sealed ballot boxes which can be found in the canteens at Central and Centenary House. If you are a member and do not receive a ballot paper then contact a member of the committee (please see the details below).
Your Prospect branch committee is recommending that you vote to accept the offer.
The pay offer
• Salaries will be increased by RPI of 3.4%
• Pay Bands will be increased by RPI of 3.4%
• Stand by allowances will also increase by 3.4%
• The company recognises the importance of maintaining minimum salaries at the bench mark level and to this end will continue with the programme of competency payments.
Jersey and Isle of Man will be awarded the islands relative RPI.
At the end of April your branch committee and Prospect National Officer, Philip Bickerstaffe, consulted with members about the 2010 pay claim. We followed this process due to the low turnout at previous meetings, and almost all available members were spoken to over two days.
Following this a pay claim was sent to the company seeking an increase in excess of the prevailing rate of inflation for all Prospect represented grades (and increases to all pay scale minima, competency rates, maxima, all allowances and call out arrangements).
A number of meetings subsequently took place between Prospect and the company during which we highlighted the workload of individuals, the contribution that has been made in seeking to achieve highly stretching financial targets, the reduction in bonus and the increased cost of living for our members.
Whilst the company were mindful of these arguments they were concerned about the competitiveness of the market and future resourcing challenges facing the company. The company also highlighted that after negotiations with Prospect last year it had offered a 1% increase despite the negative level of inflation.
Despite the efforts of your committee the company were not willing to offer an above inflation settlement, but made the offer of 3.4% (matching March RPI). On considering this offer your branch feel that this is the best that can be achieved via negotiation and are therefore recommending that members vote to accept the offer.
Once the ballot closes the count will be verified and the decision will be confirmed to both members and the company.
C&W Prospect Committee
Mark Page [email protected]
Martyn Priaulx [email protected]
Rick Ozanne [email protected]
Jon Stuckey [email protected]
It was clear during our consultation exercise with members that many of you had clear views about pay and other issues within C&W Channel Islands. It would be of great help to the branch for you to be active and supportive of the work of the branch officers. Despite the best efforts of the branch committee some employees are not Prospect members and this does weaken the strength of your voice in collective discussions with the company. Please do talk about your union membership with your colleagues and urge them to join if not already a member. If they want more details a member of the branch committee would be happy to provide these.
