In March we presented a claim for the 2010 review of the National Officials & Departmental Managers Agreement (NODMA) to the Co-operative Employers Association (CEA).

After expanding on the elements of the claim for the CEA, the CEA Executive agreed to take the claim and discuss this in detail with the members of the CEA and return to NACO with a formal proposal.

This meeting took place on 7 June at which time the CEA made a formal offer that can be summarised as follows against the 2010 NODMA claim:

2010 NODMA Claim CEA Offer
A general cost of living increase of 3.0% to be applied to all salaries effective from 1st July 2010 An increase to salaries effective 1st July 2010 of 2.0%
A premium to be applied to the general cost of living increase from 1st July 2010 for those NACO graded managers in Societies who do not offer an annual incentive scheme   No
An additional one days holiday be applied to each element of the service calculator to increase to a maximum entitlement of 31 days holiday No
To offer improved Maternity Pay to all NACO graded managers with an additional four weeks at 100% of salary over and above the current entitlement No
Improve both Paternity Pay and Paternity Leave to allow for two weeks Paternity Leave paid at 100% of salary No
Formal National Agreement status for paid time off for caring for dependents with a guaranteed minimum of five days paid at 100% of salary per annum No
A commitment from the Executive of the Co-operative Employers Association to encourage all member Societies to introduce bonus schemes for NACO graded managers by 2012 Any discussion in relation to merit award to be undertaken at a local Society level
The CEA and NACO to jointly undertake an equal pay review of the member Societies of the Co-operative Employers Association for NACO graded roles to be completed by December 2010 A willingness to undertake an average salary review and compare this to market relativities in relation to equal pay
The CEA and NACO to jointly review the current best practices regarding flexible working policies available in CEA member Societies, and agree a policy to be introduced as part of the National Officials and Departmental Managers Agreement A willingness to work with NACO on a flexible working policy to apply to all CEA member Societies

We expressed deep concern that, despite another very successful year in the co-operative movement, there was no appetite to recognise the efforts of the NACO management population in achieving the outstanding performance witnessed for the last trading period by proposing a more reasonable pay review.

We recognise that some colleagues do not benefit from a formal bonus structure to recognise achievement and are disappointed that the element of the claim that sought to address this has been rejected. Further, NACO is concerned that the other family friendly issues raised in the claim have also been rejected – especially as these would not have a significant financial impact on the societies, but would demonstrate their commitment to a work/life balance.

For the 2010 review, the CEA has offered 2.0% when the RPI for April 2010 stood at 5.3% and we believe that this below inflation offer could lead to a fall in living standards for many members.

We do not believe that this reflects the commitment of the management teams nor the performance of the co-operative movement and has asked the CEA Executive to seek a more appropriate mandate from the member societies.

Further talks are due to take place but as the parties have failed to reach an agreement at this stage it means that the NODMA review was not implemented in time for the 1 July review date. We recognise that members will be disappointed but in order to provide the CEA with every opportunity to review their position feel that the appropriate time should be taken to reach a suitable agreement of the 2010 review.

Colleagues who wish to register their thoughts on the current offer are encouraged to do so by e-mailing NACO on info@nacoco-op.org. All responses will be treated in complete confidence.