Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2024 – National Oceanography Centre

Our Ref: SH/0001/NOC

24^th May 2024

 

Dear Colleagues  

 

Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2024 – National Oceanography Centre 

 

The union’s negotiating team has attended meetings with the company and at the conclusion of these talks the following offer has been tabled: 

 

• 3.5% consolidated pay increase subject to all HMRC deductions, applied across all individual salaries, with monies backdated to 1^st July 2024.
• An optional further 0.5% consolidated increase or a 0.75% non-consolidated one-off payment, subject to Trades Union agreement. This will also be applied to band minima and maxima against both legacy pay-scales and NOC CLG progression zones. 

 

In addition, NOC has responded to wider Trades Union aspirations for 2024:

 

• 1:2:1 leave entitlement: NOC has evaluated the proposal for a one for one leave entitlement system for NOC seafarers. The initial assessment indicates that implementing such a system could significantly disrupt our ability to maintain continuous ship operations, which is crucial in meeting our organisational goals. However, NOC remains open to further discussions and would welcome any suggestions from the Trades Union on how this arrangement could be implemented without adversely impacting our business.
• Apprenticeships: Acknowledging the significance of nurturing the next generation, NOC has committed to commencing the development of a modern apprenticeship scheme this year. NOC will welcome input from both Nautilus International and RMT on how we can effectively integrate Ratings into this initiative.
• Family Friendly Policies: NOC appreciates the importance of fostering a supportive work environment through family-friendly policies. It's important to note that at NOC already strives to exceed best practices in this regard. While we continuously evaluate and evolve our policies in the best interest of our staff, ensuring their affordability and sustainability, we remain committed to further enhancements. NOC will continue to have meaningful conversations with Marine Trades Unions in this regard.
• Final Salary – New Entrants: Following the move to Independence in 2019, NOC transferred the legacy final salary pension scheme. However, it's imperative to state definitively that NOC cannot offer a final salary pension schemes to post-independence members of staff. This position is non-negotiable, as the scheme ceased to accept new entrants at Independence. NOC does, however, provide an attractive Group Personal Pension Plan with a 10% employer contribution level for staff on NOC CLG terms.
• Request for paid time-off DE&I advisory committees: NOC is not opposed to the proposal and would welcome further discussions with the Marine Trades Unions regarding paid release, including paid travel, for members elected to attend the union’s equality advisory committees.

 

Consequently, the union’s National Executive Committee has instructed me to hold an e-referendum of you and your colleagues so that you can have your say. Additionally, the National Executive Committee is recommending that you vote ‘NO’ to reject this offer. 

 

The on-line referendum will close at 11:00 hours on Tuesday 4^th June 2024.

 

Referendum instructions: you must have an email address to take part

 

Members will shortly receive an email from 'RMT Referenda' which will allow you to register your vote. Please follow the instructions and make sure you complete this by no later than 11am on Tuesday 4^th June 2024.

 

If you know of any member who has not received this email or if you are having any difficulties voting, please contact referenda@rmt.org.uk or the RMT Helpline on 0800 376 3706. If you do not receive your vote immediately, please check your junk/spam folders before contacting us for a replacement. 

 

VOTE ‘NO’ TO REJECT THE OFFER

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary