Pay 2020: Second year of two year deal

Pay 2019 & 2020 Campaign Archive

During pay negotiations for Pay 2019, RBS Group (now known as NatWest Group) presented their proposals for a two year deal. The deal was ultimately accepted enthusiastically by members and covered pay years 2019 and 2020.

While not known at the time of voting, 2020 would be the year in which the COVID-19 pandemic had such a dramatic impact on our lives and kickstarted a devastating cost of living crisis. The offer had been negotiated with no awareness that this would come, but demonstrates one of the key weaknesses of a multi year deal. In this case, the employer likely paid less than they would have had the negotiations for 2020 taken place in the normal timeframe.

The Unite at NatWest position has now become firm – that pay settlements are most effectively negotiated as close as possible to the implementation date of the offer. The earlier a negotiation takes place, the less accurate the predictions on inflation and other pressures. The bank’s position in subsequent years has been the opposite – to negotiate as early as possible in advance of the offer being implemented.

This newsletter was first published in December 2019.

Pay 2020: 2nd year of RBS pay deal to be implemented

RBS has announced the implementation of the 2nd year of the pay deal, endorsed by Unite members and agreed with the bank last year.

The pay matrices agreed between Unite and RBS that will apply in 2020 are shown below:

[We are currently trying to locate and verify the matrices and will update these in due course.]

Minimum salary increase and Non-Consolidated Cash Payments

As part of the two-year deal the employer agreed that the minimum salary increases (the underpin) and the ‘above range’ cash payments will be higher in 2020 than they were in 2019.

A or B graded employees with a performance rating of 3, 4 or 5 and are paid below the maximum of the salary range for their role, will receive a minimum pay rise of £475 (pro-rata for part-time colleagues).

Cash payments

A or B graded employees with a performance rating of 3, 4 or 5 who are paid above the maximum of the salary range for their role, will receive cash payments of £375, £400 and £425 for 3, 4 and 5 performers respectively (pro-rata for part-time colleagues). These payments will be made in April next year.

Pay on the agenda

Unite negotiators will continue to meet regularly with representatives of RBS over the coming months to progress discussions on issues members have raised with us and to ensure the continued development of a fair and transparent approach to pay. Unite will continue to issue regular updates to members and will also be seeking your views and feedback on pay and all other terms and conditions of employment.

Unite representatives

The union is always seeking members to take on one of the four Unite Representative Roles i.e. Workplace, Union Learning, Safety and Equality. If Unite members are interested in finding out more about becoming a Unite Representative please contact the Unite RBS Helpline or e-mail rbsinfo@unitetheunion.org.

Unite RBS Updates & Update Your Details

If you would like to receive regular updates electronically from the union and have not already advised us, please email from your preferred email address to rbsinfo@unitetheunion.org.

It is also important that members ensure that their membership details are up to date and accurate (e.g. home address, work address, whether you are full time or part time etc.)

If you believe that your membership details are out of date, please also e-mail the above address or alternatively you can contact your local union office or log onto ‘My Unite’ at the website www.unitetheunion.org where you can update your own details.

Not a member?

RBS employees who are not already members of Unite are urged to join the trade union now.

Join Unite’s 1.4 million members and have a voice on your pay and other issues, as well as receiving support, advice and representation. Membership forms can be obtained by emailing rbsinfo@unitetheunion.org plus you can join online at www.unitetheunion.org