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Unite the union JNC Red Book documentation for 2025 Indicative Ballot

  • Friday 18 September 2026

Unite Red Book craft workers - September 2026 update

Unite finds it regrettable that we have had to write to the junior member union in the JNC, the GMB, regarding the ongoing Red Book dispute. The GMB unfortunately posted misleading and factually inaccurate information on its website last week about the dispute. The position presented is simply at odds with all communication between the GMB, Unite and the JNC last year.

It is therefore necessary for us to share the relevant communications with Unite members for transparency. A summary of the issues in dispute is also attached for information.

“With effect from 1 April 2025, an increase of 3.20% on basic salary
"With effect from 1 April 2025, an increase of 3.20% on all allowances (as listed in the 2024 JNC pay agreement circular dated 1 November 2024)
"The other elements of the claim were all rejected.
"In a subsequent ballot GMB members voted to accept the offer but Unite members voted to reject it as they were unhappy with the potential grading of the Building Labourer, the use of apprentices and the potential use of job evaluation.”

Source GMB Webpage

  • The email to the national employers dated 3 July 2025 clearly communicates the outcome of the GMB ballot as a vote to reject by their members - Read the 3 July email [PDF].

  • The email dated 5 August 2025 from GMB to Unite agreed with Unite’s proposed dispute resolution document and main points of dispute. (Unite reps then agreed the document before sending to the LGA). - Read the 5 August email [PDF]

  • The email dated 8 September 2025 from the GMB communicates an unexplained change of position with the employers after the agreed JNC TU document had been submitted. - Read the 8 September email [PDF]

We had requested that the GMB remove the misinformation from its website and realign to settle the dispute in the JNC Craft Agreement. The GMB in its response refused to acknowledge the attached as relevant or provide a correction.

Unite Red Book reps will meet on the 25th September to discuss next steps.

Unite Red Book craft workers - June 2026 update

Unite members rejected the 2025 pay offer of 3.2% but the national employers have still failed to resolve this dispute and meet with Unite to negotiate an offer that protects the national agreement. June 20206 sees strikes at six, targeted councils: Babergh & Midsuffolk, Bristol, Leeds, Newham, Southwark and Stoke-on-Trent.

Building Labourer Grade SCP 2 to SCP 3 1 April 2026 | "As set out in our letter of 22 April, of the 32 councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that we understand employ Craftworkers on JNC ‘Red Book’ conditions, only nine of them apply the JNC-specific rates of pay. Our data shows those nine councils combined employ around just 270 Craft employees, a tiny number of whom will be paid on the Building Labourer Grade. The point you raise about avoiding a concertina effect of grades is one with which councils are well aware and adept at dealing with. The most effective resolution is to include Craftworkers in local pay and grading job evaluation exercises (using the model Craft role profiles). Therefore, the National Employers will continue to urge those nine councils to apply job evaluation to their Craft roles." - National Employers

Supporting materials

The 2025/26 pay deal for Red Book workers remains unsettled. Vote YES for better pay and to protect our agreements.

Please note that strike ballots are now open in a number of red book councils over the 2025 pay offer, and these close on Thursday 26 March 2026. Members can contact their regional office if they believe they should have received a ballot paper.

Check out the latest downloads below. 

Downloads

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This page holds documentation for members to read, who are taking part in Unite's ballot for craft employees under JNC Local Government Red Book contracts.

Downloads

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