The branch can now report the results of UNISON’s industrial action ballot on the NJC pay offer for 2024-25.
The headlines:
- In our largest employer (the largest by far), West Sussex County Council, members voted for strike action with an 81% YES vote. However, the turnout of members who voted was 32.5%, less than the government’s mandatory participation rate of 50% for a strike ballot to be lawful;
- The branch balloted members in 53 separate employers in West Sussex (this is because some schools are treated legally as separate employers, as are all academy schools);
- We got over the government’s 50% participation thresholds in 9 employers, but these were not large employers.
When the results of over 4,000 balloted employers were analysed at a national level by the union’s elected NJC Committee of reps, it was decided there was no possibility of organising industrial action which would improve the national pay offer.
It should be noted that the Tory government’s 2016 Trade Union Act which introduced 50% thresholds is due to be abolished and it is currently expected that this provision will no longer apply by July 2025.
The NJC Committee has therefore settled the claim with the LGA Employers and the £1,290 pro rata payment is due to be paid in West Sussex in the November pay packet, with back pay also paid at that point to April 2024.
Backpay for members who have left employment since 1 April 2024
Members who have left employment of an NJC employer since 1 April 2024 are entitled to be paid back pay in arrears, and for this to be added to their local government pension, if they are a member. Members should contact WSCC Payroll to request this.
Universal Credit
Some UNISON members covered by the 2024-25 NJC pay settlement will be in receipt of Universal Credit. The pay award may result in a reduction in the amount of Universal Credit individuals receive as earnings will rise.
The April 2024 pay award is for a consolidated pay increase of £1,290 on all NJC pay points. The pay rise will not be paid as a one-off lump sum – it will be consolidated into basic pay and will be spread across twelve months.
However, the 2024 NJC pay settlement is backdated to 1 April 2024 which means that employers will also be making a one-off payment of back pay owed to their employees. In West Sussex the pay rise will be implemented in November’s pay packet (payable on 22nd November due to how the weekend falls).
This means that in November 2024 employees are likely to receive their new rate of pay, plus seven months of backpay (for April to October).
For the month in which the pay rise is implemented the amount of take-home pay will be significantly higher due to the backpay element. This may have an impact on universal credit payments in the following month/s.
As Universal Credit is based on individual members’ own, personal circumstances, UNISON does not know exactly how individual members may be affected and cannot provide advice to individuals.
We do though suggest that members in receipt of Universal Credit who think they may be impacted in this way should contact their Work Coach. Members should explain to their Work Coach that whilst there has been a pay rise that increases basic monthly income, there has also been a one-off back payment that will not form part of regular monthly income. You can contact your Work Coach online or call the Universal Credit Helpline on 0800 328 5644.
WSCC has offered to provide members impacted in this way with a letter they can give to their Work Coach, to support their request for the backpay to be discounted for purposes of Universal Credit, if this will be of assistance. Please contact WSCC Payroll for a letter.
Student loan repayments
If a member has a student loan and, if the receipt of the backpay lump sum puts the individual above the monthly repayment threshold, then a student loan repayment will be deducted from wages. However, if in the following months, wages return to below the relevant monthly repayment threshold then further student loan repayments should not be taken. At the end of the tax year if total wages for the year are below the annual student loan repayment threshold then the employee can request a refund of the student loan repayment/s that they have made.
Details on how to get a refund can be found here and information on student loans can be found here.
Please note, UNISON is not able to give personalised advice about student loan repayments. The repayment thresholds vary depending on which student loan/s the individual received.