State of play in key negotiations

EMPLOYEE GROUP (NOS. COVERED)

COMMENTS

PREVIOUS AWARD

April 2006

Prison service (England & Wales) - admin., secretarial and support grades (8,500)

A revised pay offer of £425 or 1.6%, whichever is the greater, has been made to staff groups represented by the Professional and Commercial Services Union, First Division Association and Prospect trade unions. The increase is offered to all in the bargaining group except for those on the industrial officer grade, who, under the terms of the offer, would receive a performance-related progression increase only. The proposed award would run from 1 April 2006, rather than the existing anniversary date of 1 July 2006.

From 1 July 2005, all pay spine points were increased by 1.5% and employees received an additional nil to 3% increase depending on performance and current position on pay scale. Payband minima and maxima were also increased. On-call allowances were increased by 2.5% and overtime rates by 1.5%.

August 2006

Northern Ireland Civil Service - all except some agencies and senior civil service (25,000)

A final pay offer has been accepted by members of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance. The deal is worth 12% in earnings growth over three years from 1 August 2006.

Minimum pay rates for employees on the AA grade rated as satisfactory performers will increase by 8% in the first year of the award - and by 17.1% over the three-year period (from £11,209 to £13,130 a year).

A 12-month award from 1 August 2005 was imposed by the secretary of state for Northern Ireland. It was worth 3.49% in average earnings growth, including progression increases and non-consolidated performance bonuses for some staff worth between £200 and £400.

January 2007

British Footwear Association - manuals (3,500)

The second year of a two-year pay award provides for an increase of 2.5% or November 2006 RPI, which means that a basic increase of 3.9% is applied from 1 January 2007.

First year of two-year award gave 2.5% increase on rates from 1 January 2006, with new sick pay scheme introduced.

Friends Provident - all staff (3,300)

Individual increases ranging from nil to 15% are paid from a merit pot worth 3.6% from 1 January 2007. Negotiations are ongoing regarding an Amicus claim for an additional 3.5% cost-of-living award for all staff.

Award worth 3.5% of paybill from 1 January 2007 gave individual merit increases ranging from nil to 28%.

ITV - clerical and technical staff (6,000)

From 1 January 2007, a 3.7% basic pay rise - based on October 2006 RPI - applies to salaries above £30,000 a year. For employees with annual salaries below this threshold, pay rates increase by 3.95%.

Basic rates increased by 3% from 1 January 2006.