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IOG NEWS
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THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM THE IOG AND THE INDUSTRY
NEW PITCHES
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
The IOG encourages all employers to become accredited living wage employers
WAGE DEBATE
IOG recommends 2.5% pay rise for grounds staff THE IOG IS recommending a 2.5 per cent increase in grounds staffs’ national minimum salary bands for 2019. The recommendations have been made against a backdrop of economic uncertainty over the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, which is likely to impact growth; GDP growth is expected to be low in the medium term, with 1.6 per cent the forecasted figure for 2019, and it is not expected to rise above this level until after 2023. The suggested rise sits between CPIH (Consumer Price Inflation including owner-occupier’s housing costs) inflation of 2.2 per cent and the 2.9 per cent increase in the voluntary living wage. As a result, it should take
“GDP growth is expected to be low in the medium term”
6 THE GROUNDSMAN January 2019
account of any increase in the cost of living and should ensure that grounds staff pay rates remain competitive. The IOG also encourages all employers to become accredited living wage employers and to make this explicit in their recruitment and employment offers. The IOG says it is of critical importance to job satisfaction levels that employers ensure they are meeting their obligations in ensuring fair payment for overtime worked and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This should be done in partnership with employees with agreements reached about the balance between overtime pay, time off in lieu and flexible working. The research was carried out independently by Myriad Research. Email iog@iog.org or call 01908 512 311 to obtain a copy of the full report. Turn to page 24 to check the IOG new recommended national basic salary bands.
RUGBY CLUB WASPS is finalising plans to build a centre of excellence on the site of the Old Leamingtonians RFC ground in Leamington. The club has completed a long lease agreement for the site and is now preparing to file a planning application to Warwick District Council. Facilities will include a rugby pitch for every age group at Old Leamingtonians RFC, a full-size synthetic pitch, training pitches for the elite team and an indoor training centre.
TRAINING COURSES
MACHINERY MECHANICS TWO NEW HANDS-on machinery mechanics courses have been added to Reesink Turfcare’s training offering for 2019: a oneday Air-cooled Engines course and a two-day Basic Electrics and Hydraulics. Air-cooled Engines starts in February; Basic Electrics and Hydraulics in April. For more information, visit www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk
FOOTBALL HUBS
COMMUNITY SPORTS BUILDING WORK IS set to begin this month on three community football hubs in Sunderland. The £18.04m project is being funded by the Premier League, The Football Association and Sunderland City Council – with the Football Foundation overseeing the project. The three hubs are Community North Sports Complex in Downhill, the Northern Area Playing Fields in Washington and a centre in Ford Quarry.