Hopefully you’ve all seen the Joint Statement from E.ON and the Trade Unions which sets out the pay offer for 2023, which details a consolidated pay increase, a one-off unconsolidated payment, a clause relating to CPI inflation and the extension to the current SVS terms until December 2027.
The pay offer applies to all employees who sit within one of the Collective Agreements. The company intend to align a comparable pay settlement for MM4 and Personal Contract holders once the outcome of the pay ballot is known and accepted.
UNISON approached the company at the beginning of July, to discuss what support could be offered to our members in the midst of the cost of living crisis. What started as discussion relating to a one-off cost of living payment, soon developed into a wider discussion on a consolidated pay increase.
We would normally survey the membership ahead of entering into pay discussions, and then submit a pay claim to the company. Mindful of the current cost of living crisis, we didn’t want to delay matters, and we believe we acted in our members’ best interests by entering into pay negotiations early. The UNISON negotiating team were instrumental during these talks, and we used our influence in getting the agreement over the line.
Historically, pay awards have been implemented on 1st April, which is the start of the financial year. However, we have been successful in negotiating an 18 month deal effective from 1st October 2022, subject to a positive outcome in the pay ballot. A 7.5% pay increase from 1st October, would mean pay has risen by 11.5% since 1st April 2022. The £1,100 unconsolidated payment is equivalent to approximately 5% of salary for many of the lowest earners, which will be of great benefit at this time.
It is difficult to predict the rate of inflation for 2023, so it was important negotiate a clause within the pay deal. The clause means the company and the Trade Unions will enter pay talks early should CPI inflation exceed 1% or more of what has been forecast by the Bank of England. In addition, we negotiated an extension of the current SVS terms up until December 2027.
Ballot
To secure the deal UNISON will be asking you to vote on the offer. Only UNISON members who are part of one of the Collective Agreements are eligible to vote. The ballot will be conducted electronically from 14th September 2022 until 28th September 2022. You will receive an email from us during this period inviting you to either accept or reject the offer. A postal ballot will be held for those members who we don’t hold an email address for. Members can update their details by logging into My UNISON using this link: My UNISON | UNISON National
Unison’s Position
The UNISON representatives at the single table negotiations took the view that the offer should be Fully Recommended for Acceptance. This position was endorsed by our Sector Committee on 30th August 2022.
What if I have any questions about the offer before voting?
There will be a series of joint company and TU roadshows held at various sites and locations, and some virtual sessions for those unable to attend in person between 8th and 14th September. This will give you the opportunity to fully understand the context of the deal and ask any questions. UNISON will also by holding some member sessions via Microsoft Teams during this period. Full details will be sent out shortly.
What about non-trade union members?
Non-trade union members won’t get a say on the offer. However that’s not to say that they are not free to join UNISON. We encourage all UNISON members to talk to their colleagues about the benefits which being a member brings. https://benefits.unison.org.uk/all-benefits/
Anyone who joins UNISON before the commencement of the ballot will be included in the vote.
How do people join UNISON?
The best way for members to sign up is by completing the form below and returning it to one of the following reps:
Bolton firoz.ahmed@eonnext.com
Bedford dawn.chambers@eonnext.com
All other areas vakas.bhatti@eonnext.com
NBS colleagues in Solihull gary.garfield@npower.com
Alternatively, new members can join online here:
You will need to inform us when you’ve signed up to be included in the ballot.
Best wishes from your UNISON Negotiating Team,
Andrew Morgan – Lead Rep Nottingham andrew.morgan@eonenergy.com
Vakas Bhatti – Lead Rep Nottingham
vakas.bhatti@eonnext.com
Marcus Allen – Lead Rep Field marcus.allen.steward@gmail.com
Ed Bratt – UNISON Regional Organiser