Workplace Report November 2009

Bargaining news

Pay deals on Payline

Pay freezes have continued to make up around one quarter (25%) of all new settlements for the three-month period between August and October 2009. In all, 12 pay freezes were recorded during the period, 10 of them in new or first-stage deals. However, the all-deals mid-point remains at 2% (1.5% for new deals).

Long-term settlements recorded on Payline for October and so far in November have included AAH Enterprise (Trident), giving 4% in the second of a two-stage deal where pay rises had been deferred from April to October. Transport firms Arriva The Shires and Stagecoach (North West) had above-inflation pay rises. At Arriva lowest basic pay increased by 4% over the year (split into two 2% tranches) in a two-stage deal negotiated in March. Stagecoach staff received 2.4% in the third stage of a four-stage two-year agreement.

New deals included Co-op Group Healthcare; Bracknell and Wokingham College; and Poundland retail stores, all receiving rises of 2%. Lower rate deals of 1.5% were done at Moto Hospitality, Co-op Travel (Management) and Booker Distribution (Wellingborough).

Jaguar LandRover, SMS Electronics and South London Press all had pay freezes for 2009. At Jaguar LandRover, staff take a cut of one hour’s pay as part of a deal to avoid compulsory redundancies. The Indian-owned company is considering closing down one of its Midlands plants.