Since Surrey County Council sits outside the remit of the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services, GMB need to ballot our members about a pay deal specific to Surrey County Council workers each year.

We therefore need you to tell us whether you wish to accept the pay deal that has been tabled by management. If a majority of members do not accept the deal, we would look at pursuing an industrial action ballot, to ascertain whether members would be prepared to take action to try to win an improved offer.

Please note that the deadline for returned ballots is 12noon on Thursday 28^th March 2024, so make sure you complete the form before then!

The headlines of this year's pay rise are as follows:

• An increase to Grades PS1 & 2 of 9%, PS3 & 4 6%, PS 5 & 6 4.5%, PS 7 — PS10 4% and PS 11 — PS 18 £2000
• A Surrey minimum wage of £12.04 per hour – higher than the Real Living Wage and Statutory National Living Wage
• An increase of one annual leave day for staff that have 5 or more years of continuous Local Government Service.

A document containing the full pay offer is here.

If you choose to vote ‘REJECT’ then this would give a clear indication that you wish to go forward into dispute with Surrey County Council which could include industrial action should the outcome of the ballot be sufficient.

Please note that if you work in an Academy, most will follow SCC's guidance, although others will now set their own pay and this ballot will only be advisory for them. Local discussions will take place with many academies following this ballot, and we will keep in touch with you if you work in affected schools. We would also like to remind you that some schools moved their pay award date to September and that this rise will not come into force until then if that is the case.

Please take the time to respond to the questions below.  You only need to complete the form once, so if you have already been directed here from a text message or email, and get directed here from a second communication, you only get one vote and any subsequent vote will not be counted, no matter how many times you vote.

We want you to be able to contact us about this, but are aware that members need to keep their ballots private.  If you wish to contact us about this ballot, if you are interested in becoming a local contact in your workplace to facilitate the pay ballot, would like more information about becoming a workplace rep, or think your details have changed from what we hold on file for you (address, contact details, workplace location or job title), visit our separate page at https://www.gmb-southern.org.uk/scc-contact-form and fill in your details!

THIS BALLOT IS NOW CLOSED