North Yorkshire Council is to give all of its more than 15,000-strong workforce a £1,925 pay rise as of this month.
On average, the increase equates to a 6.35% pay boost for council staff in roles such as town planners, refuse collectors, social workers and engineers. The deal, which is a £1.2 million investment, means the lowest-paid staff will receive a 9.42% pay increase, while those on higher wages will get a 5.5% rise.
Councillor Gareth Dadd, executive member for finance at North Yorkshire Council, said this investment is part of a recognition that staff need money in their pockets immediately.
Dadd said: “Nonetheless, it’s vital we get this agreement sanctioned because people need that pay increase now, they can’t wait forever, and secondly it will help with our recruitment and retention. I know this cannot continue in perpetuity, but I am very pleased that any money that is available is going disproportionately to the bottom end of the pay spine.
“The relationship we have got, albeit a Conservative administration, has been for some years very positive with the trade unions within North Yorkshire County Council and hopefully moving forward. At the end of the day, we recognise the need for a productive happy workforce and we’ll do what we can with the limited budgets we’ve got to facilitate that.”
The council offers a comprehensive total reward package for staff, including competitive pay, up to 34 days of annual leave, an employee assistance programme, salary sacrifice arrangements, flexible working, performance-based pay progression, an interest-free travel season ticket loan, maternity, paternity and adoption leave, discounted gym membership, retail discounts, a relocation scheme, a financial wellbeing programme and an eyecare voucher scheme.