This updates provides you with the latest on the pay negotiations and gives you the opportunity to have your say on pay. It is addressed to all UNISON members within Morrison Data Services who are covered by collective bargaining.
Pay Offer 2023
Following the pay claim submitted by UNISON on behalf of its members the company responded with an initial pay offer of 6.7% from 1st April 2023. While it was recognised that this was a serious
offer, UNISON sought an improvement. Following negotiations an improved offer of 7% for Meter Readers and Managers was made to us. After consideration it was agreed that UNISON recommend the offer to its members.
Details of the Offer in Full
This is set out in full below for your consideration. As you will see while the overall pay offer is the same for all, there are differences in the terms of the offer depending on which group you belong to within the company. For this reason, we are asking you to show your group within your response on the ballot paper.
We are recommending the offer.
For Meter Readers
The key features of the deal for Meter Readers are that:
Meter Reps will earn no less than £22,183.72 per year (before bonus)
Achieving 12.6% real terms pay increase against current rates
Be 10.7% above the 23/24 National Living Wage of £10.42 for over
25’s
Be 5.8% above the 2023 Real Living Wage of £10.90 (outside London)
In addition there will be the consolidation of “small allowances” into base pay. This relates to the following groups:
The consolidation will be done after the increase of 7% is applied to base pay. As such the “small allowances” are not being used to supplement the pay award itself.
For office staff
The position is yet to be decided. We will communicate with you again once we have received a full offer.
For Managers:
An increase of 7% A change in the calculation of bonus whereby it ceases to be a percentage of salary (which was seen to favour the higher paid) to become a flat rate payment for all.
To whom does the award apply?
The offer applies to all staff covered by collective bargaining (excluding ex-EDF staff who are subject to separate negotiations) and as mentioned, we are awaiting an offer for back-office staff.
The offer means slightly different things to distinct groups of employees. In short these groups are Meter Representatives, Ex-Siemens staff, Managers (and Back Office staff).
Therefore UNISON is asking you to confirm which group you belong to within the ballot.
How do I vote?
Please send the ballot form in the FREEPOST envelope provided by 7 March 2023.
If the offer is agreed when will it be paid?
For all staff, the offer will apply from 1st April 2023. Therefore you will
receive an increase in your pay from this date onwards so your April salary will be the first date from which you will receive an uplift in pay.
How can I encourage others to join UNISON?
You can direct them to Join UNISON online. Details of the extensive benefits of membership can be found here. Remember the more members in UNISON the greater our bargaining strength so please do what you can to remind your colleagues of the importance of membership.
UNISON recommends the offer to you as the best to be achieved by negotiation. If you are voting to reject the offer you should only do so if you are prepared to take industrial action up to and including strike action.