Prospect secures 4.11% paybill increase for Scottish Parliament

Prospect members in the Scottish Parliament have voted to accept their pay offer for 2018

The pay award delivers an above-inflation average award of 5.4% with consolidated awards ranging from 3% to 15.4% (including progression). At least 88% of staff will receive a cost of living increase of 3%.

The offer also includes additional protection for the lowest paid, with a minimum award of £750 and an additional £120 for grades 1-3 who are at the top of their pay scales.

The deal, which represents a paybill increase of 4.11%, was negotiated by Prospect, PCS and the FDA with the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB).

The main elements of the settlement include:

• all pay steps to £32,000 and under will increase by 3% plus progression or 3% plus a non-consolidated lump sum of £120
• a £750  underpinning increase for those on £25,000 or less
• 3% consolidated on the maximum or a 1% consolidated cost of living increase plus progression payments for those below the grade maxima on pay steps £32,000 to £80,000
• a flat rate increase of £1,600 for those earning more than £80,000
• a commitment from the SPCB to even out spine points in the 2019 pay negotiations.

SPCB also agreed to extend the guarantee of no compulsory redundancies to 31 March 2019; to review paid statutory parental leave; to consider signing the TUC’s Dying to work charter and equality proof the pay deal.

Prospect negotiator Jane Rose said: “This offer clearly demonstrates the value of trade unions and collective bargaining because we secured improved outcomes for members during the negotiations.

“Almost three quarters of staff in the Parliament are on their pay maxima, so distribution has been weighted towards that end of the scale for grades 4-7.

“Those not on the maxima in grades 4-7 will receive a 1% pay increase and an increment of 5.3%-11.7% on the anniversary of employment month and before the next annual pay review.

“Although the offer falls short of the objectives in our pay claim, it is a significant improvement on previous years and begins to address our key aims of achieving rises that at least match inflation and begin to restore earnings levels after years of pay restraint.”

Prospect expected the increases to be made in July salaries, backdated to 1 April.