Two unions representing school support staff and business leaders in England have accepted a flat pay rise of £1,925 backdated to April, equating to 9.42 per cent for the lowest-paid employees.
The unions - GMB and Unison - had previously called for an above-inflation pay rise from April, as well as consideration of a flat increase to bring the minimum rate of pay to £15 per hour within two years.
But heads’ leaders have warned that the settlement is likely to “further exacerbate the funding pressures” that many schools are facing and in July last year, there were warnings that the rise could result in an overall cost to schools of around £1 billion.
Unions were told in February that the original offer was “full and final”.
The National Employers for local government services - which is part of the Local Government Association - said this week that Unison and GMB have accepted the £1,925 pay rise.
However, a third union, Unite, did not agree to the award and the National Employers for local government services said the union was continuing to take industrial action in a small number of councils.
The exact increase that each employee will receive under the offer will vary in percentage terms, with the highest-paid staff getting a rise of 3.88 per cent. The highest rise will come at 9.42 per cent for the lowest-paid employees.
Heads warn over funding pressures
The start of 2024 pay negotiations for school support staff are likely to be delayed, the National Employers for government services warned after announcing the 2023 deal this week.
It said this was down to a “protracted process” caused by unions’ “vastly different timetables for consultations and strike ballots”.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union, said the confirmation of the 2023 pay award will provide ”some additional clarity” for schools, but “it will likely further exacerbate the funding pressures that so many face”.
He added that many school business leaders were once again facing “one of the lowest pay awards across the sector”, furthering “the need for a new national pay framework for these senior roles, which better recognises the expertise and experience they hold, and which is aligned to the pay of other senior leaders in schools”.
Unison head of local government Mike Short said: “Unison balloted members as fast as we could within the confines of anti-trade union legislation introduced by the government. We will be putting a claim for 2024 in as a matter of urgency and hope the employers will respond quickly.”
GMB national officer Sharon Wilde said the union will now be focusing on pay for 2024-25 after accepting the rise.
Unite national officer, Clare Keogh said: “Unite’s ongoing local authority disputes will continue and the union will be giving our members rock solid support where they are fighting for improved terms and conditions at the local level. Unite has already secured multiple local wins for our members in different councils across England and Wales. We will continue to back our members 100% who are in dispute so we can build on these locals wins further.”
