Here we go again. The Unions getting cosy with management and agreeing to something when they have not bothered to take any "informal" soundings from the shopfloor.
Going straight to ballot with both the Unions and management wanting a yes vote is a done deal.
Who do you think is producing the information on the Pensions situation, writing the letter to the Board, producing the Newsletters to inform staff and generally telling it as it is rather than what some corporate machine wants you to think?.. Oh, it's the Unions.
There is definately no cosy relationship. As for how a pay offer works, read the Q&A on
ATCOs.co.uk . Whilst the Executives of each Union recommend the deal, it is for the individual members to decide for themselves. Each member of the Exec team has one vote, the same as every other member. The unions are attempting to provide as much information through the newsletters and websites etc as possible so members can make as informed a decision as possible. This is far from a done deal, but it will be the members who decide and not the Execs. Just weigh up the options and the implications of a yes or a no vote and make the choice you think correct. We'll all know the outcome soon enough.
ps. If any member doesn't recieve a ballot paper, ploease get straight in touch with your union office who can send a replacement asap.