Service Area
Paying Employees, Pay Reward & Benefits
Summary
On Friday 31 January 2025, the National Joint Council (NJC) shared their pay claim for support staff across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The claim from the NJC unions - UNISON, Unite and GMB – calls for an increase to support staff pay from the National Employers, as well as a request for changes to the working week.The key elements claim is for the following;
An increase of at least £3,000 across all NJC spinal column points.
A clear plan to reach a minimum pay rate of £15 per hour.
One extra day of annual leave for all staff.
A reduction in the working week by two hours, with no loss of pay.
The ability for school staff to take at least one day of their annual leave during term. time, with no loss of pay.
In making their claim, unions have cited several factors based on evidence gathered from their members, including the cost-of-living crisis, real pay reductions experienced by support staff since 2010, a comparison of private versus public sector pay and issues with recruitment and retention of support staff within schools.Full details of the claim can be found on the Local Government Association (LGA) website here.
What happens next?
The LGA, will review the claim and prepare a response. This typically involves consultation with councils and budget assessments before an initial offer is made. The LGA have prepared a questionnaire to solicit feedback to assist the National Employers in their deliberations. This was shared by the LGA in an emailed bulletin on 24 January 2025. Spring 2025 – The LGA will review the pay claim and determine affordability.Early Summer 2025 – A formal pay offer is expected to be made by the National Employers.Mid to Late 2025 – Unions will consult their members on the offer and decide whether to accept or ballot for industrial action if the offer is deemed insufficient.Autumn 2025 – If an agreement is reached, new pay rates are implemented (backdated to 1 April 2025)We understand that school leaders and finance teams will be keen to understand the implications of the pay claim on budgets and staffing. We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as negotiations progress.If you have any questions about how this could affect your school, please contact your EPM Adviser.
