pwhittle

anyone who's unhappy that they've had a below inflation payrise (ie virtually everyone) should take consolation. My beloved employers have just chopped 9.4% off my salary, and even more from my colleagues.
There've also changes the notice period to 3 months (can they do that!?)

Still, unions have been involved, so that's ok (aren't unions great!)

boxst

Well, you are required to sign a new contract for both the salary decrease and notice period. You can refuse of course, but then you are effectively terminated although you can claim constructive dismissal for which you can get some compensation.

Steve

FlightMan

Care to name the employer?

pwhittle

no
I work in York
for the local authority

just checked, and apparently if the unions agree, they can change your T&Cs without a new contract. Unbelievable.

Norman D. Landing

...... and thats why I'm not in a union.

pwhittle

nor me - the fees seem rediculous, they don't seem to do anything useful, and I don't agree with public sector strikes.

stilover

I find out today. Not holding my breath though. Last 2 years have been below the Governments made-up Inflation figures.

As I work in the Private sector I can't strike like Nurses/Teachers/ etc, demanding 4%+ pay rise

FlightMan

I'm in the union at work, all staff on my grade are unless you opt out. It cost's me nothing.

I had a 4.85% payrise this April, 5.0% last April. Its based on RPI +0.xx%. and was a 3 year deal negotiated by the union.

Very happy.

pwhittle

sounds like a good deal. IIRC our Unison rate is abot £12/month, which I thought a bit steep.
Our increase next will be about 2%, so that's a real-world cut ontop of the newly announced one.
I usually have little sympathy for people who choose a job (like teaching), knowign it's badly paid, but in the public sector a lot of jobs are quite specialist, so you can't really do it in the private sector.
I accredit, review, and develop supported housing services. People don't do that in the private sector. I could possible consult for the organisations who proivide the services, but most are 3rd sector and don't have any money!

Just have to push the business harder, or I'll never have another Scooby!

MikeCardiff

iTrader: (2)

Must be great having a job where you just get paid more every year for no reason other than prices have gone up.

Try being self employed - you cant go to yourself and moan that you havent had a pay rise in line with inflation or someone is expecting you to work harder.

Geezer

But you can put your prices up, so you are in effect, in control of your own destiny. However, if my employer decides not to give me one, I'm screwed!

You just can't please some people

Geezer

MikeCardiff

iTrader: (2)

Yep, you can put your prices up, and if all your competitors dont, then you dont get any business and make even less. Wish it was as simple as being able to do that.

Sonic'

Yes, all employers can change the T & C's of your contract they just have to follow the correct procedures (ie inform you in writing, relevant notice etc) but IIRC it cant be too much of a deviation

I reallly cant undertsand why people complain and moan and want to strike when they dont get inflation payrises, if you want a better paid job with better beneifts then find another job, thats exactly what I have just done, currently working my notice before I start my new job

pwhittle

yes, but as above, if you have a specialist job, you can't always take it elsewhere. I haven't seen anything for years I could do without a considerable pay cut. Mind you, now I've got one, it'll be easier to move!

pwhittle

yes, I'm also self-employed.
If you choose self-employment, you take the rough with the smooth. You don't have the (supposed) stability, and you don't have the corporate b*ollox, useless meetings, restructures, enforced T&Cs etc. Your choice!

FWIW once my business picks up I will be totally self-employed