Following on from the recent update on the outcome of the ballot on the 3.2% pay offer, the Joint Unions wrote to the Employer seeking to further negotiations. The Unions shared their members’ strength of feeling and expressed disappointment the offer was less than that for other Public Sector workers, but the Employer still refused to improve the offer.
Whilst the majority of those members who took part in the ballot voted to reject the offer, the overall turnout of the ballot fell below the 50% required to move to a formal postal ballot for industrial action. Therefore, the National Local Government and Schools Committees were left with no option other than to vote to settle the pay negotiations for 2025/26.
The Employer has been asked to implement the increase with effect from 1 April 2025 as soon as possible. This settlement is earlier than in previous years and should hopefully ensure that members who are in receipt of benefits such as Universal Credit or who have student loans are not penalised, when they receive their back pay. Details of how this increase will impact your pay can be found here.
The three NJC trade unions will work with the National Employer on a review of the NJC pay spine and how the increase in the National Living wage is currently being addressed by deleting the lowest scp, rather than by paying more.
Anyone who has left their Employment since April 2025, can apply for the backdated award by writing to their former Employer. The 3.2% National NJC award will also be applied to those covered by the Greater London Provincial Council (GLPC) London Agreement and details of this are here.
If you have any questions, please contact your Branch and if you would like to find out more about becoming a GMB Representative for your workplace please email schoolsteamlondon@gmb.org.uk.
Posted: 24th July 2025