Further to earlier NIPSA communications I can advise NIPSA has received the following pay offer effective from 1 August 2018. The offer is set out below:
The elements being proposed are as follows:
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all eligible satisfactory performers to receive one step progression with effect from 1 August 2018;
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all AA and analogous pay scales to be revalorised by 3%;
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all points on all pay scales at AO analogous and above from minimum to maximum to be revalorised by 1.25%;
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any staff receiving less than a 1.25% consolidated increase to receive an additional non consolidated, non pensionable payment to bring them up to the equivalent value of 1.25% of their salary at 31 July 2018 (for those in NICS grades who are in receipt of a salary in excess of the maximum, the 1.25% would be based on the scale maximum. For those on non-NICS pay scales the 1.25% would be limited to 1.25% of the equivalent NICS General Service scale maximum).
This is an extremely disappointing pay offer given the engagement that has taken place over the last number of months both with Management Side and through engagement with a range of political parties.
It is clear that the Public Sector Pay Policy set by the Department of Finance Permanent Secretary has had a significant downward pressure on any negotiations that have taken place over the past few months. In fact given the pay remit set by the Permanent Secretary, DoF left little wriggle room for any negotiations to realistically take place.
As members will be aware the Public Sector Pay Policy and in turn the Pay Remit for the NICS was set with a limit of 1%. The Management Side have indicated that the overall package as set out above is worth 2.05% on the NICS paybill.
The Civil Service Group Executive Committee has considered the pay offer and is recommending rejection of the offer. In recommending rejection of the offer the Executive Committee are also recommending that NIPSA immediately move to seek the necessary approvals to conduct an industrial action ballot. The industrial action ballot will cover not just the meagre and insulting pay offer - making Northern Ireland Civil Servants the worst treated public sector workers in Northern Ireland, but also the decision by Management Side to seek to move to external corporate competitions for Staff Officer and Deputy Principal posts without serious and meaningful negotiation with NIPSA. A separate bulletin is being issued to cover the detail of NIPSA's response to this issue.
It is clear the landscape has significantly changed and the NICS Board and Management Side have sought to seriously undermine the agreed industrial relations processes. NIPSA and our members cannot stand idly by and accept this meagre pay offer together with other serious attacks on your terms and conditions without serious and meaningful resistance.
Branches are now asked to immediately organise a Branch Meeting to discuss the offer and the other attacks on your pay, terms and conditions and to engage with members on a campaign to deliver meaningful opposition to the offer.
If you require a speaker for your Branch Meeting please contact either
The Civil Service Group Executive Committee Pay Campaign Sub-Committee will be meeting regularly to drive forward the campaign.