2023

 G4S TRYING TO LIMIT ACAS INDEPENDENCE 

G4S Allied Universal /

Bulletin November 2023

G4S TRYING TO LIMIT ACAS INDEPENDENCE

 

Dear GMB Members,

We hope everyone is well.

G4S have proposed arbitration terms that would limit the independence of ACAS in settling the 2022 pay dispute, by proposing to limit the amount of any award to less than 7%, and that it cannot be backdated to December 2022, only from April 2023.

The proposal directly conflicts with earlier advice from ACAS, and misses, perhaps deliberately, the whole point of arbitration, which is for an independent umpire, ACAS, to determine the pay award for 2022 without restrictions imposed by one party.

We have sought intervention from ACAS and have proposed the following:

The parties agree to pursue conventional arbitration.

The arbitrator is asked to make a determination on the pay award, at a point between the final positions each of the parties reached in conciliation:

  • 9.2% for GMB and;
  • 5.15% (+0.25% payable April 2023 and 0.25% payable August 2023) for the Company.

For staff covered by the G4S DWP contract for the 2022/23 annual pay period (anniversary 1st December 2022) as outlined in Company information.

The award is backdated to the start of the pay year for 2022/2023 ie December 2022.

We will update members once we receive feedback from ACAS and/or the Company.

The DWP contract is also now out for re-tender and we will be contacting the DWP to make a contribution on behalf of members, particularly in respect of the expectations of any successful service provider and their responsibilities regarding pay and conditions.

Please ensure you share this update with non-members and encourage them to voice their opinions on pay by joining GMB: https://www.gmb.org.uk/join-gmb

In solidarity,

GMB DWP LNC                                                                                                                                                                           GMB National Officer

 G4S TRYING TO LIMIT ACAS INDEPENDENCE  Read More »

Loomis 2024 Pay Claim

Leave a Comment / Loomis /
October 2023 

 

GMB MEMBER COST OF LIVING SURVEY REPLIES

 

Dear GMB member,

Thank you to everyone who completed our 2023/24 cost of living survey, the results of which will be used to develop our contribution to the 2024 Joint Trade Union pay claim.

What came through loud and clear was that members were being severely impacted by the cost of living crisis this past two years. Overwhelmingly members reported being at least £60, but in most cases £80 worse off a month, which is a significant amount for any worker.

Again when asked about an increase, members were clear that they didn’t want to go backwards again, so are looking for that an increase matched to the cost of living was crucial. We also don’t want to fall behind G4S Cash, and so far we are given they secured an 8.5% pay rise last year.

Therefore we’re proposing that similar to G4S Cash the RPI inflation rate for October is the 2024 award, which also reflects the fact that inflation has remained stubbornly high this past year despite almost all projections last year suggesting it would be significantly lower throughout 2023.

Members also indicated that they wanted to see improvements on:

  • • rates of overtime @ 1.5 per hour;
  • • increased holiday entitlement by 2 days and
  • • rates of bank holiday premium @ 2.0 per hour.

In advance of the pay talks we have also submitted a request for information on the Company financial performance in order to challenge any issues regarding the ‘affordability’ of both your claim and any Company counter-offer. We will keep members updated as talks progress.

Please share this bulletin and encourage any non-members to join www.gmb.org.uk/join-gmb

Yours in solidarity,

GMB NNC                                                                                                                                                                                      GMB National Officer

Loomis 2024 Pay Claim Read More »

GMB Submits Arbitration Terms to G4S

Leave a Comment / G4S Allied Universal /

Bulletin October 2023

GMB Submits Arbitration Terms to G4S

 

Dear GMB Members,

We hope this newsletter finds you well and we want to reiterate again our thanks to members for your patience.As we reported previously the Company has suggested that it would take time a long time to agree the terms of reference, and who should arbitrate the dispute.

When GMB had previously agreed terms of reference etc with G4S in another business unit, it was completed quickly and simply via email.

So, on 3rd October GMB sent an initial proposal for terms and nominating ACAS to arbitrate, and on 12th October the Company responded, though without any suggested terms, so on the 13th GMB proposed the terms below:

“The arbitrator is asked to make a determination on the pay award, at a point between the final positions each of the parties reached in conciliation, for the staff covered by the G4S DWP contract for the 2022/23 annual pay period (anniversary 1st December 2022).”

We are now waiting for a response from the Company and will advise one we receive something.

Separately we have written to Tim Kendall, G4S Secure Solutions Managing Director, out of courtesy advising that we would be looking to convene meetings with DWP, and Shadow Labour Ministers to discuss issues impacting the DWP contract, and also wider security related matters.

There is a strong chance that there will be a new UK Government so now is an appropriate time to flag to them our members’ views on a wide range of issues. We will update members following these meetings.

Please ensure you share this update with non-members and encourage them to voice their opinions on pay by joining GMB: https://www.gmb.org.uk/join–gmb

In solidarity,

GMB DWP LNC                                                                                                                                                                              GMB National Officer

GMB Submits Arbitration Terms to G4S Read More »

GMB Political Fund

G36 Branch News /

Dear Branch Members

Voting to keep our Political Fund will open on 11 October. The Political Fund is our union’s campaign fund. It allows us not only to have a strong industrial voice, but a strong political one too.

And through the Political Fund, we have achieved so much.

 

We brought ambulance workers to Parliament, to speak to politicians directly about their dispute and why it mattered.
 
We put ASDA bosses in front of select committees to be questioned on their unfair working practices.
 
We are raising the voices of women workers to put pressure on local politicians to fix equal pay scandals across the UK.
 

There is so much more to do. And that’s why we need you, our members, to vote YES in the Political Fund ballot.

To find out more, go to: www.gmb.org.uk/voteyes

GMB Political Fund Read More »

GMB Union Update – Time For Arbitration

G4S Allied Universal /

Bulletin September 2023    

 

GMB Union Update – Time For Arbitration

Dear GMB Members,

We hope this newsletter finds you well and we want to thank you once again for your patience. As reported in the last update, ACAS have agreed to arbitrate but the Company were still insisting that negotiations continue and they requested a further meeting this week.

In order not to further delay the process we proposed a virtual meeting so that it could be done as soon as possible, where the Company offered, on top of the 5.15%:

  • An extra 3p an hour (0.25%) from April 2023 and;
  • Another 3p an hour (0.25%) from August 2023.

This offer proves that despite repeated denials over the years, G4S can dip its hand into its own pocket to pay Officers more than it receives from DWP.

 Now when the Company claims that “9.2% is simply not a viable option and risks the entire future of the DWP contract.” members have every right to be sceptical that the Company paying an extra 3-4% from its own pocket is somehow going to risk a multimillion pound contract.

Since talks have commenced your LNC have adjusted your claim to the lowest measure of inflation in December 2022, CPIH 9.2%, down from RPI 13.5%, in an effort to ensure that members do not fall behind the increased cost of living and to reach agreement.

The LNC holds the view that this offer is still substantially below any cost of living measurement and falls well below members expectations as expressed in your claim, so we are once again calling on the Company to move urgently to arbitration.

It has previously only taken a few emails to agree the terms of arbitration so unlike the Company we don’t see that taking up too much time or resources.

Please ensure you share this update with non-members and encourage them to voice their opinions on pay by joining

GMB: https://www.gmb.org.uk/join-gmb

In solidarity,

GMB DWP LNC                                                                                                             

GMB National Officer                                                 

GMB Union Update – Time For Arbitration Read More »

National Equalities Summit

G36 Branch News /

We’re pleased to confirm that we are running five online National Equality Summits this Autumn – giving our underrepresented members the chance to come together to develop their knowledge of workplace organising and campaigning.

 

All Regions are invited to send attendees who belong to the five equality groups to the summits, with no limit on how many members can attend and no requirement for any level of experience. This learning and development opportunity is open to all members who identify with the relevant group, and members new to campaigning are most welcome.

 

Please see more details here: gmb-equality-summits-2023 (gmb-southern.org.uk)

 

As a result of there being no limit to the number of attendees, it has been agreed that we will advertise the summits to all GMB Southern Region members. However, Branches like yours will be informed of who has applied to attend and asked to raise any concerns.

 

Please share this information with your members and ask them to apply for a place using the links below:

 

Race Summit – Black, Asian and minority ethnic workers: Saturday 4 November 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Bu2-fmudXk67ViAZWkPyhriQyUvAyDdBi3-telC_Bz9UMUdNM0gxSU9KUTEyN0k1NThMSzNGVFNGSi4u

Disabled Workers Summit: Saturday 18 November

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Bu2-fmudXk67ViAZWkPyhriQyUvAyDdBi3-telC_Bz9UMU5YN1ZYWTdPSzRaVThKQ1pKMldJSUZUMC4u

Young Workers Summit – Workers age 30 & under: Saturday 25 November

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Bu2-fmudXk67ViAZWkPyhriQyUvAyDdBi3-telC_Bz9UQkZTMDNKU1A0NjBSMENJVUVVRkNYSEkyTS4u

Women Workers Summit: Saturday 2 December

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Bu2-fmudXk67ViAZWkPyhriQyUvAyDdBi3-telC_Bz9UNUZURjFHMDUyMlNCR1dZTlI3TEVPRUYyVi4u

LGBT+ Workers Summit: Saturday 9 December

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Bu2-fmudXk67ViAZWkPyhriQyUvAyDdBi3-telC_Bz9UMjM5QU5VN0lCWVNINzZXT0xZVkFOSENYNS4u

 

The deadline for applications to be received by the Region is Thursday 5th October at midday.

 

National Equalities Summit Read More »

G4S DWP Update

G4S Allied Universal /

Bulletin September 2023

GMB Union Update – ACAS Agree to Arbitration

 

Dear GMB Members,

We hope this newsletter finds you well and we want to thank you once again for your patience.

Like you, the LNC are exceptionally frustrated by the continual delays, the Company are obviously doing everything they can to avoid participating in arbitration.

Your LNC can only guess that the Company are scared about potentially having to pay members any additional money that comes from their own pocket, not just what DWP have funded them.

However we can report some good news.

ACAS have advised that they are prepared to arbitrate on the pay for 2022/23.

 

But this won’t come as a surprise to members now, the Company are still trying to avoid arbitration and are seeking another meeting (18th September) to table another offer.

We cannot emphasise this enough that the Company is deliberately doing this to try and undermine your collective strength and position.

Your support is invaluable in these negotiations, and we thank you for standing together in solidarity.

If you require further information, please contact your local GMB Representative or GMB Office.

Please ensure you share this update with non-members and encourage them to voice their opinions on pay by joining GMB: https://www.gmb.org.uk/join-gmb

In solidarity,

   GMB DWP LNC                                                                                                                                                                  GMB National Officer

G4S DWP Update Read More »

Mitie Pay Update September

Mitie /

September 2023

MITIE HMT 2023 PAY UPDATE

Dear Members

We hope this bulletin finds you in good spirits, we want to keep you informed about latest developments and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to achieving fair terms for all members.

We understand and share your frustration with the delay in getting this matter resolved, ACAS have now confirmed arrangements and the meeting will now take place on Monday 18th September at their offices in Victoria Street SW1.

We appreciate your understanding and ongoing support as we navigate through this process.

We will keep you updated on further developments.

In Solidarity

Mick Butler

GMB Union Regional Organiser

Please ensure that any colleagues who aren’t yet GMB members have their say on pay by joining GMB: https://www.gmb.org.uk/join-gmb

Mitie Pay Update September Read More »

Creating a Robust Profession: Improving the Perception of Security Workers

Leave a Comment / G36 Branch News /

Security workers play a crucial role in our society, ensuring the safety and protection of individuals, businesses, and critical infrastructure. However, the perception of security workers has often been negative, with many considering it as a stop gap job rather than a respected profession. It is time for the security industry to unite and work together to change this perception and create a robust profession that attracts dedicated individuals.

One of the key factors in improving the perception of security workers is to offer better terms and conditions. Currently, many security jobs are low-paid with long working hours and limited career progression opportunities. This not only discourages talented individuals from considering security as a profession but also attracts workers who are not truly interested in security but rather see it as a temporary source of income.

To address this issue, security companies should strive to offer competitive salaries and benefits to their employees. This would not only attract skilled professionals but also incentivize them to stay in the industry for the long term. Additionally, providing opportunities for career development and progression within the security sector would give workers a sense of purpose and motivation to excel in their roles.

Another important aspect of improving the perception of security workers is to enhance their training and education. Currently, the training requirements for security workers vary widely.By establishing enhanced standardised and comprehensive training programs, security workers can acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively and professionally.

The current professional certification system (SIA) for security workers does add some credibility and legitimacy to the industry. This certification serves as a good start but needs enhancing further. Although SIA certification is mandatory. more needs to be done to raise the overall standard of the industry.

The security industry also needs to actively engage in public outreach and education to change the perception of security workers. This can be done through various means such as community events, educational campaigns, and collaboration with other industries. By showcasing the importance and professionalism of security workers, we can challenge the stereotypes and prejudices that have plagued the industry for far too long.

In conclusion, it is imperative for the security industry to come together and improve the perception of security workers. This can be achieved through better terms and conditions, enhanced training and education, and active public outreach. By creating a robust profession that attracts dedicated individuals, we can ensure the safety and security of our communities while offering fulfilling careers to security workers

Creating a Robust Profession: Improving the Perception of Security Workers Read More »

G4S DWP Pay Update July 2023

G4S Allied Universal /

        

Bulletin No July 2023    

 

GMB Union Update on DWP Pay Increase 2022/23

 

Dear GMB Members,

 

We hope this newsletter finds you in good spirits, despite the ongoing challenges we face in our negotiations with G4S. We want to keep you informed about recent developments and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to achieving fair terms for all our members.

 

We understand and share your frustration with the company’s delay tactics. It’s evident that they are attempting to prolong the negotiations in hopes of undermining our collective strength. However, we want to assure you that the GMB stands strong, and we won’t be deterred by these tactics.

 

We must address G4S’s offers, which fell short of our members’ expectations. During the stage one negotiations, a 5.15% increase was proposed, but it did not align with members’ feedback and was unanimously rejected. G4S then presented the same offer of 5.15% during stage two negotiations which was rejected by 95% of GMB members by ballot, clearly reflecting the sentiment of our members. Furthermore, during the second ACAS meeting, the company then proposed a one-off payment of £125, which our members felt was an insult given their hard work and dedication during the cost-of-living crisis.

 

Now, yesterday, G4S presented a two-year deal that raises serious concerns for our members. In the first year, the proposed 5.15% increase without any improved percentage or additional benefits to the offer that was rejected by GMB Members and is simply not enough to reflect your hard work and dedication. The second-year offer 4% for premium sites and 7% for standard & enhanced sites with percentages even lower than the current Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) March to May average (7.4%) is disappointing, to say the least. GMB representatives closely analysed the proposed deal and the potential impact on GMB members. We share your belief that this offer would leave many worse off, rather than improving our members’ collective situation.

 

Low Pay Commission (LPC) estimate the National Living Wage (NLW) will need to rise next year to between £10.90 and £11.43 to reach the government’s target. LPC central estimate of the on-course rate of the NLW for 2024 is £11.16

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/largest-ever-cash-increase-in-the-national-living-wage-to-boost-pay-for-millions

 

Having analysed the company’s two-year offer, your LNC (Local Negotiating Committee) representatives are actively working to relay your feedback. We are open to a further meeting with G4S at ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service) to once again reaffirm what our hardworking members believe constitutes a fair wage.

 

Our resolve remains firm: we firmly believe that our members deserve a living wage that reflects their contributions. We have communicated our strong stance to the company and have made it clear that arbitration remains a viable path forward.

 

As your union, we stand united in our commitment to achieving a fair resolution that benefits all members. Your support is invaluable in these negotiations, and we thank you for standing together in solidarity.

 

We will continue to push for what is right and just, and we won’t back down until we achieve an outcome that uplifts our members and respects their hard work. Stay united, and let’s face these challenges together.

 

If you require further information, please contact your local GMB Representative or GMB Office

 


In solidarity,

 

GMB DWP LNC  

                                                                       

GMB National Officer

 

Please ensure you share this update with non-members and encourage them to voice their opinions on pay by joining GMB: https://www.gmb.org.uk/join-gmb

          

G4S DWP Pay Update July 2023 Read More »