Here we go again - time for another pay claim!

It is hard for me to believe that after last year s struggle it is time for Quarrier s Branch to lodge a pay claim already, yet Quarriers staff are due an increase from 1st October 2008. We are all having to pay much more for fuel, home energy and basic foodstuffs, with the retail price index running at 4.2% in April.

As many of us are low paid though, fuel and food take up a greater proportion of our wages, so for many members inflation on a personal basis will be much higher (you can have a go at working it out for yourself at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pic/ ).

Quarriers Branch has constructed a pay claim to meet these extra costs, but which we believe is also reasonable. We also know that stress and work-life balance are major issues for our members in Quarriers and that our hours are much longer than many other workers. That is why as part of our claim we are proposing a phased reduction in the working week. All members have received a copy of the full claim in the post.

The key points are:

• £1000 flat rate pay increase as of 1st October 2008.

• The full-time working week to be reduced initially to 38 hours, then 37 hours with a commitment to meet a 35 hour week after a period of time.

• Sleepovers to be paid at the national minimum wage rate. Organise and Unionise It is clear that UNISON Quarriers members face a number of challenges at this time.

Last year in the pay campaign we showed that by standing together and growing our membership we can win together. We need to continue to do that.

There are two key steps UNISON members in Quarriers can take:

1) Get a non-member to join. Speak to them about the issues in this newsletter; why not give them your copy when you re done? And give them a membership form or encourage them to telephone: 0845 355 0845.

2) Ensure your workplace has a UNISON steward. Why not stand yourself? Full training, support and paid time off are given.