THAMES WATER BULLETIN - PAY 2024 - FINAL OFFER - 7 May 2024
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Dear member
There have been two pay meetings with the company to discuss the 2024 pay claim. At the initial meeting the Joint Unions outlined the pay claim for an average CPI (inflation) 6.3% + 1% pay rise.
We also emphasised the need to implement the company’s commitment on salary bands as agreed in SKYE, which includes tackling red circling.
At the second meeting on Thursday, 3rd May 2024, the company tabled a first offer of 2.8%. This was rejected and after an adjournment the company tabled a 3% offer. The joint trade unions discussed the offer and informed the company that it was not acceptable and that we are a considerable way apart.
The company then said that it was their final offer and they wanted us to ballot our members. The joint unions said they would ballot members, but they would be asking members to reject the offer.
The Final Pay Offer
a) 3% consolidated pay increase on basic rates from 1st July 2024, including to those employees that are red circled.
b) 3% consolidated increases on standby, call out, and out of hours allowances from 1st July 2024.
c) Principle that anyone green circled will be increased to a minimum of the bottom of the job grade.
d) Thames Water will not be increasing the pay bands. They will review the bands again at the end of the calendar year. Thames Water are committed to making sure the pay bands and red circling approach are fit for purpose.
e) Thames say they will not be adjusting the mid points without reviewing the pay bands.
Thames Water say they will communicate their plans to review the reward framework in the coming months. Thames Water says that no colleague will be financially impacted because of the above.
Trade Union View
The joint trade unions believe that the final pay offer falls below our members’ expectations.
It is the lowest offer that any water company has made to its employees. The average is above 5%. Thames Water has raised customer bills substantially this year (12.1%) and has the ability to pay. The company’s greatest asset is its workforce, and they should offer more than 3%.
The company has not implemented the SKYE agreement on salary bands.
For these reasons the Joint Trade Unions are asking members to reject the company’s pay offer in the forthcoming ballot.
If you're not yet a GMB Union member you can join online at www.gmb.org.uk
In Solidarity
Gary Carter
National Office