Pay 2026 Update by Andrew Manson, Strategic HR Lead: Agreements Reached for NJC, Chief Executives and Chief Officers
NJC for Local Government Services
Agreement has now been reached on the 2026 pay award for local government services (“Green Book”) employees. Details can be found in the circular below.
For the sixth consecutive year, Unite has chosen not to have its details included in the pay agreement circular. While this is disappointing, it does not prevent a formal collective agreement from being reached. The required constitutional majority on both sides of the NJC supported the agreement, meaning the pay award can now be implemented.
JNC for Local Authority Chief Executives
Agreement has also been reached on the 2026 pay award for JNC Chief Executives. Further details are available in the circular below.
JNC for Local Authority Chief Officers
A reminder that agreement for JNC Chief Officers was reached on 2 June. Details can be found in the circular below.
JNC for Local Authority Craftworkers
There is currently no update on the JNC (“Red Book”) Craftworkers 2025 pay award, and we remain unable to indicate when an agreement might be reached.
Unite continues to reject the National Employers’ full and final pay offer of 3.20%, covering the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. Meanwhile, GMB, the other JNC Craft union, has been ready to accept the offer since summer 2025, following its submission on 22 April 2025. However, GMB does not hold enough seats on the JNC unions’ national committee to secure an agreement with the National Employers on its own.
It is also worth noting that the JNC Craft unions have not submitted a pay claim for 2026.