Pay Update - Wales 2005

A joint trades union claim was submitted to the employers at the end of 2004 with the objective of reaching a settlement to be implemented by April 2005. The joint claim included all of the ACM key objectives and in order to take negotiations forward joint working groups were formed with the employers. As a result of a dispute between NATFHE and the employers, negotiations stalled during the summer but following pressure from ACM and all of the other unions on the staff side the matter has been resolved and negotiations have recommenced.

ACM chaired the management pay working group which has concluded its work and will recommend an increase of 3.25% (phased in April and August 2005 and backdated where appropriate) plus introduction of a new management pay spine with a starting point of £32k - managers would be moved onto the next point on the new spine at an average cost of 5% - meaning an average increase of 8.25% for managers in Wales. This is of course subject to approval by the Wales National Negotiating Committee (the next meeting scheduled for mid-October), approval by fforwm employment committee and funding by the Assembly - but the indications look good at present!

Nevertheless, there is clearly still someway to and the working group considering lecturers pay has still to complete its work, with a potential sticking point on the issue of progression to the upper pay spine looming. Colleges in Wales continue face an uncertain financial future and should the negotiations on teachers pay be unsuccessful funding from the Assembly would be at risk. It is unlikely that most colleges would be able to afford the managers pay settlement without the additional Assembly funding.

Progress will be reported on the ACM web site and a Wales newsletter will be produced once a settlement is reached.