As part of our 2017 pay campaign, the NEC has agreed to hold a consultative ballot of our public sector members, with the aim of sending a message to the government, before the Autumn Budget, that they must scrap the public sector pay cap and fund an above inflation pay increase for all.

Dear Colleague

The ballot will include members working for Scottish Government, despite its announcement that it will end the pay cap in 2018. This is because we are seeking an immediate scrapping of the pay cap and funding for an above inflation pay increase for all members. The ballot will also include members covered multi-year deals, such as in the DWP. We will be seeking the reopening of those agreements to take into account any change to government policy or the funding for pay.

The ballot will ask members to vote “Yes” if they agree that the pay cap should be scrapped, and that funds should be made available to provide an above inflation pay rise.

The ballot will also ask members if, in the event that those demands are not met, they are prepared to take part in industrial action.

The ballot will open on 9 October and close 6 November.

The NEC has developed a campaign plan to build for a Yes vote and a high turnout in the ballot. Branches have already been invited to send reps to regional briefings.

We will shortly send branches a campaign pack, which will include:

• Speakers’ notes
• How to get your branch “ballot ready”
• A list of materials and when they will arrive in branches
• How to order more materials
• A list of events

Thank you for your support

Mark Serwotka
General Secretary

Janice Godrich
President