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Last week, UNISON’s NJC Committee met and agreed very clearly to REJECT the employers’ offer of behalf of members. The Committee was clear that the offer falls significantly short of what members in councils and schools need and deserve.
Preparations are being made for the next steps in our campaign for a better pay offer, and you will hear more very soon. We will keep members up-to-date with developments.
The claim
As reported previously, UNISON submitted a pay claim for members on 1st December 2025 for the following, presuming a one-year pay deal:
- An increase of at least £3,000 or 10% (whichever is greater) across all NJC spinal column points
- A minimum pay rate of £15 an hour for the NJC pay spine
- A two hour reduction in the working week
- An increase of one day annual leave
- The ability of all school support staff to take a day of paid leave during term time
- The abolition of Level 1 Teaching Assistant role and instead all Level 1 role holders be moved onto Level 2
The offer
A meeting was held on March 24, 2026 between the employers and unions, and in the afternoon a letter was received by the unions making an offer, as follows:
- 3.3% uplift across all NJC spinal column points and allowances.
The employers:
- REJECTED A minimum pay rate of £15 an hour for the NJC pay spine
- REJECTED A two hour reduction in the working week
- REJECTED An increase of one day annual leave
- REJECTED The ability of all school support staff to take a day of paid leave during term time
- REJECTED The abolition of Level 1 Teaching Assistant role and instead all Level 1 role holders be moved onto Level 2
For members on HAY, Agenda for Change and SMG4 grades
As reported previously, WSCC has agreed that the same arrangements as applied in 2025-26 for WSCC staff on local pay (mostly team managers on HAY pay scales) will also apply next year in 2026-27. So if there is a formal UNISON consultation on the offer, you will be included in it alongside NJC colleagues.