Negotiations with the Agency over 2021 have been conducted by the 4 recognised trade unions, UNISON, Prospect, GMB and Unite and we are now balloting you on whether you want to accept the offer that has been made.
The Agency offer this year is delivering the pay freeze that the UK Government has announced for public sector workers. Negotiations have been conducted in a challenging environment, with the Agency delivering the policy of £250 maximum consolidated payment for those earning below £24,000 and 0% consolidated rise for anyone earning above £24,000.
In addition, there is a non-consolidated sum performance award, values as set out in the offer letter.
We are not able to recommend this offer to UNISON members – but acknowledge that we believe that this is the best offer that could be obtained through negotiation alone.
Rejection of the offer by UNISON members would initiate a campaign of sustained industrial action which would be in line with UNISON rules and conference policy. This could take the form of ‘strike action’ or ‘action short of strike action’ – such as withdrawing from voluntary co-operation from out of hours rotas for incident response or working to rule. UNISON will endeavour to work alongside other unions wherever possible on joint action.
UNISON’s Environment Agency Southern Branch is now consulting members on the EA pay offer. This means only those members who are contractually conditioned to EA pay and conditions.
If you normally receive branch communications by email, then please check your email (including your spam folder!) for your ballot. If you normally receive communications by post, then your ballot paper should arrive in the next few days. Please ensure that you return your ballot paper no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 11th August 2021.
