Cable & Wireless Channel Islands Pay Ballot 2011
The pay negotiation process has concluded and a final position on pay has been received from the company.
This is the best offer we are going to get through negotiation. As a democratic trade union the decision now rests with Prospect members who now have the opportunity to vote on the offer.
The ballot will open on Tuesday 5 July 2011 and close at midday on 11.30 on Thursday 7 July 2011.
Your branch committee recognises that this is a very short balloting period but we want to ensure that we can respond to the company in time to get the changes to pay for individuals in the July pay. To help this process we will be issuing an electronic ballot for individuals.
Your Prospect branch committee is recommending that you vote to accept the offer.
The pay offer
• Salaries will be increased by RPI of 3.1%
• Pay Bands will be increased by RPI of 3.1%
• Stand by allowances will also increase by 3.1%
• The company recognises the importance of maintaining minimum salaries at the bench mark level and to this end will continue with the programme of competency payments.
There will also be a review during the year to look at the benchmark levels and assessment of the methodology used to assess competence.
Jersey and Isle of Man will be awarded the same level of offer (3.1%).
At the end of May your branch committee and Prospect National Officer, Philip Bickerstaffe, consulted with members about the 2011 pay claim. We followed this process due to the low turnout at previous meetings, and almost all available members were spoken to over two days.
Following this a pay claim was sent to the company seeking an increase in excess of the prevailing rate of inflation for all Prospect represented grades (and increases to all pay scale minima, competency rates, maxima, all allowances and call out arrangements).
A number of meetings subsequently took place between Prospect and the company during which we highlighted the workload of individuals, the contribution that has been made in seeking to achieve highly stretching financial targets and the increased cost of living for our members.
Whilst the company were mindful of these arguments they were concerned about the competitiveness of the market and the recent loss of data centre business.
The company have made a final formal offer for an above inflation settlement of 3.1% (March RPI in Guernsey was 2.9%). On considering this offer your branch feel that this is the best that can be achieved via negotiation and are therefore recommending that members vote to accept the offer.
Once the ballot closes the count will be verified and the decision will be confirmed to both members and the company.
C&W Prospect Committee
Mark Page [email protected]
Martyn Priaulx [email protected]
Over the year we have had a couple of members of the branch committee step down and it would be great to find other people willing to step up and join the branch committee. If you are interested or would like more information please contact either Martyn or Mark.
It was clear during our consultation exercise with members that many of you had clear views about pay and other issues within C&W Channel Islands. It would be of great help to the branch for you to be active and supportive of the work of the branch officers. Despite the best efforts of the branch committee some employees are not Prospect members and this does weaken the strength of your voice in collective discussions with the company. Please do talk about your union membership with your colleagues and urge them to join if not already a member. If they want more details a member of the branch committee would be happy to provide these.