Pay negotiations between AXA UK and Unite have concluded with the following pay proposal for employees in levels 9 to 6a.

Overall, this proposal will mean that 2.75% of the total pay spend will benefit levels 9 to 6, against a company-wide average agreement of 2.5%.

This will mean, if your current full time equivalent (FTE) salary is £25,000 in the medium part of the increased pay range and you achieve a Successful rating, your salary will increase to between £25,188 and £25,813 in your April pay.  Your manager will use their discretion to determine your award within the range shown in the pay matrix.

The details:

¾ A pay increase based on the pay matrix below.  The matrix has been built around a 2% award for someone rated as Successful in the medium part of the pay range. Any increase will be based on your performance and position against the increased pay ranges.

¾ Pay ranges have increased by 5% with a commitment to review again next year.

¾ A 3% increase in the minimum salary to £14,320 (exceptions to this are those on AXA PPP apprenticeship scheme, employees rated unsatisfactory, and instances where a manager elects to make a 0% pay award for Partially Successful/ Developing rating).

¾ A joint company-union review of the existing performance management system with recommendations for any improvements by the end of Q2 2013.

Unite will ballot their members, with the ballot taking place from Monday 14 January until Friday 25 January.

PAY MATRIX

The following matrix will be used to award pay increases for all employees in all levels 9 to 3:

□   This matrix has an element of manager discretion but any adjustments up have to be balanced with movements down – this is necessary to ensure this is affordable for the business.

□   Employees above the pay range (i.e. where their FTE Salary is over the maximum of the pay range) will receive a pay award to be received in monthly pay, rather than as a Lump Sum award.

□ The same principles will apply to the pay review across levels 5-3.

Further information will shortly be available from your line manager.

Click here to read the latest Unite in AXA newsletter on 2013 pay claim submitted to AXA.

Please leave your feedback below or talk to your local union rep.

AXA’s European Works Council is meeting at the group headquarters in Paris with employee representatives attending from Belgium,  France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Portugal, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Group CEO Henri de Castries gave a generally upbeat message on AXA‘s global position despite the worldwide economic crisis before facing questions from delegates on a range of subjects from AXA‘s profitability in Europe, dialogue with employee representatives, lean management and the AXA Ambition project.

Click here to read the latest Unite in AXA newsletter on the job losses in AXA Personal Direct & Partnerships announced today.

Please leave your feedback below or talk to your local union rep.

 

2013 Pay & Performance Management Survey

The 2013 pay award may seem a long way off but the process leading to it starts now as we begin consulting with Unite in AXA members as to what they would like to see awarded.

To make the consultation process easier and to reach as many members in AXA as possible we have launched an online survey for staff to complete which can be accessed here.

As well as questions on what you would like to see regarding pay we are asking a few anonymous questions about how you are coping in the current economic climate as well as your views on the performance management system that drives your pay award.

Unite have already undertaken similar surveys in the likes of Aviva and Capita and this data has proven extremely useful in their pay talks.

The survey will run from Wednesday 24th October to Tuesday 6th November.

Six members have volunteered to become union reps to help make AXA a better place to work and assist their colleagues with any workplace issues:

Natasha Borrill (Basingstoke)

Rachel Wadsworth (Bristol)

Simon Crew (Bristol)

Natalie Humberstone (London)

Karen McAndrew (Bancassurance Sales Force)

Additionally Tim Maidment has volunteered to be a Union Learning Rep in Bristol.

Thanks to all for volunteering.

Click here to read the latest Unite in AXA newsletter on the use of social media in AXA.

Please leave your feedback below or talk to your local union rep.

Today’s announcement that Personal Lines Intermediary will transfer into Amanda Blanc’s business area will come as no surprise given press speculation to this end and the fact that it makes a lot of sense for intermediaries to be dealing with one part of the business not two.

AXA has entered consultation with Unite over the transfer and we are pleased to note that they do not anticipate any significant impact as a result of the switch, indeed many staff will notice little, if any difference, in their day to day activity.

 We have flagged a number of issues which we would like to discuss further with the company, such as the impact on the Commercial combined operating ratio of the inclusion of the Personal Lines Intermediary business and its potential impact on the Commercial bonus multiplier. We have also asked what impact the split will have on Direct & Corporate Partners COR and their bonus going forward.

If you have any questions or concerns arising out of today’s announcement, please speak to your local Unite rep so we can ensure they are addressed at a national level.

AXA Group President Henri de Castries was challenged over the alleged sacking of several workers at AXA‘s offshore centre in Morocco for being union members by French EWC delegates.

De Castries responded that he had been advised that the workers in question were members of an illegal trade union and had resigned not been dismissed. However, due to the difference between the information received from Morocco he agreed that he would investigate the allegations and respond at the September EWC Bureau meeting.

Friends of the Earth Europe have produced a report called ‘Farming Money – How European Banks and private finance profit from food speculation and land grabs’. The report (which can be read here) contains details on role of AXA as well as the four largest UK banking groups.