A copy of the national conditions for craft workers, known as the Red Book, can be available from the LGA website.

Craftworkers’ Pay Claim 2024-25

4.3.24 – A pay claim from the JNC Trade Unions for local authority Craftworker (‘Red Book’) employees has been received.

The claim seeks:

• A 10 per cent or £3,000 increase in pay (flat-rate to increase with inner and outer London figures as a percentage)
• A reduction of the working week to 35 hours with no loss of pay, and a reduction to 34 hours a week in London. A pilot scheme to be implemented across several authorities across England and Wales
• An increase of two days annual leave days for all employees
• A substantial additional increase in the tool allowances to at least make them competitive with the craftworker rate in the Republic of Ireland
• For the Employer Side to negotiate over the introduction of a fair level of tool insurance cover as a Red Book requirement
• Introduction of a use of technology allowance for all staff who are required to use home energy
• A national agreement on use of technology, setting out a policy that all authorities must use as a minimum

A copy of the circular can be found here: JNC Craft pay claim 2024-25

Craftworkers’ Pay Claim 2023-24

16.11.23 – Agreement has been reached on the 2023 pay award for JNC local authority Craft & Associated Employees (‘Red Book’).  The agreement covers the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The details are set out here.

23.2.23 – The National Employers have today made a full and final offer to the Staff Side representing Craftworkers. The details are set out here.

Trade Unions’ pay claim – Feb 2023 – A pay claim from the JNC Trade Unions for local authority Craftworker (‘Red Book’) employees has been received.

The claim seeks:

• An increase in all pay rates and allowances of RPI (13.40 per cent ) + 2.0 per cent
• A substantial additional increase to tool allowances and tool insurance cover
• A recruitment and retention payment
• Reduction in the basic working week to 35 hours, with no loss of earnings
• An increase of two annual leave days
• A payment for increasing use of technology (PDAs) and home energy systems around tools and vehicles.

A copy of the circular can be found here.

Craftworkers’ Pay Claim 2022-23

2022 Pay Agreement reached – Agreement has today (10th Nov 2022) been reached on the pay award for local authority Craftworker (‘Red Book’) employees. A copy of the circular can be found here.

Despite this, Unite and GMB have announced their intention to target councils where ‘Red Book’ employees are well organised, in order to actively pursue local disputes that will focus on achieving improved terms and conditions for their Craftworker members.

Letter to TUs – The National Employers have today (25th July 2022) informed the unions representing local authority Craftworker (‘Red Book’) employees that they are not prepared to respond to their 2022 pay claim until the employers’ final offer for 2021 (covering the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022), which they made to the unions on 27 July last year, has been accepted.

On 12 July 2022 the National Employers received a pay claim in respect of local authority Craftworkers. The claim seeks:

• An increase of RPI + 2 per cent on all pay elements
• An annual retention payment
• Reduction in working hours to a 35-hour week, with no loss of earnings
• Minimum standby payment across all councils
• One additional annual leave day for all operatives, plus one further day on all other holiday rates that depend on service
• 100 per cent increase on Tool Allowance
• Increase in Tool Insurance
• Compulsory CSCS Training for all Red Book Operatives
• Maintain and improve Red Book Terms and Conditions
• Payment for charging Phones, Laptops, Power Tools, Cars

You will of course be aware that agreement has not yet been reached on the Employers’ full and final pay offer (1.75 per cent on all pay rates and allowances, which covers the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022) which was made on 27 July last year and subsequently rejected by the unions. On receipt of this claim at 1030 (12.7.22), the National Employers asked the unions to confirm their position in respect of the unresolved 2021 pay round.  At time of writing, they have not responded. The National Employers will be meeting on 25 July to consider this and the respective pay claims received from representatives of Green Book employees, Chief Executives and Chief Officers.  A copy of the claim can be found here .

Temporary increase required to JNC Building Labourer grade

On 1 April 2022, the National Living Wage (NLW) will increase from £8.91 per hour to £9.50.

The Craft JNC pay agreement of 2016-18 established the principle of aligning the five Craft Grades to pay points 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the revised NJC ‘Green Book’ pay spine.  A copy of the circular can be found here.