ACAS pay 2008 update
The oral hearing with the arbitration panel took place at ACAS on 10 February. The Trade Union Side presented our submission, followed by the employers. We argued that local government has treated NJC workers as 'poor relations' for a long time - failing to invest in pay, training and good conditions, while making over-the-odds efficiency savings and putting ever-larger off sums of money into reserves. We also pointed out that the local government settlement for the next three years will far exceed inflation if economic predictions are correct. The employers argued that pay offers had been constrained by Government pay policy and the cost of the LGPS and Single Status.
Each side asked the other questions and the panel asked questions too. They were particularly interested in unallocated reserves - which have increased significantly in the last few years, and whether they can be used for pay purposes. We agreed to provide them with further information on unallocated reserves as a proportion of revenue for
2007/8 and 2008/9. We have obtained this information and are now waiting for the employers to agree it so that it can be sent to the ACAS panel.
We don't have a date for the ACAS panel's response to our submission and will let you know as soon as we get it.
Monday, 16 February 2009
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Monday, 19 January 2009
UNISON response to attack on redundancy scheme
Below is a copy of the letter sent by UNISON to the Leader of the Council (copied to all Councillors )
Dear Councillor Patten
Re: Cabinet – 19 January 2009 – Revisions to Council Provision for Redundancy
I now write to express UNISON’s serious concern in relation to the impact that the City Council’s financial position is having on the security of employment for our members and the proposed changes to the redundancy scheme.
Clearly UNISON believes that delivery of services are paramount to the authority and cuts to services that lead to redundancies should be avoided and scrutinised vigorously.
However, if redundancies do become necessary following the financial scrutiny, then ways and means of avoiding compulsion should be sought.
UNISON has now bee issued with a “Section 188 notice” for 95 voluntary posts.
While accepting that volunteers are preferable as an alternative to compulsion, UNISON objects to the volunteer being vetted by the authority on affordability and a 50% cap.
Volunteers should be allowed to leave regardless of cost on the current scheme without a cap.
Likewise UNISON is opposed to the current scheme being further revised from 1 April 2009.
You will recall that the current redundancy scheme was introduced in April 2008, offering twice the number of weeks payable as compensation for the loss of additional years being offered under the pension scheme.
Altering the scheme again at this stage while two section 188 notices are still pending (September 2008 and January 2009) is wholly inappropriate and a further “kick in the teeth” to a loyal workforce that is already facing the brunt of these cuts through no fault of their own.
Furthermore consultation on these changes with UNISON has been minimal, the draft report was waiting for me on the 5 January 2009 on my return from annual leave, we then met with your senior officers on 12/01/09 to express our serious concerns, a second hastily arranged meeting was then held on 16/01/09 at which our concerns were expressed again.
UNISON will take legal advice on whether these changes amount to a unilateral change to contracts (we do not agree with them) and if the consultation so far has been meaningful. In the meantime I would ask that no decision is taken on this report and that any redundancy, voluntary or compulsory is avoided where possible or paid under the current scheme.
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely
Adrian Turner
Branch Secretary
Below is a copy of the letter sent by UNISON to the Leader of the Council (copied to all Councillors )
Dear Councillor Patten
Re: Cabinet – 19 January 2009 – Revisions to Council Provision for Redundancy
I now write to express UNISON’s serious concern in relation to the impact that the City Council’s financial position is having on the security of employment for our members and the proposed changes to the redundancy scheme.
Clearly UNISON believes that delivery of services are paramount to the authority and cuts to services that lead to redundancies should be avoided and scrutinised vigorously.
However, if redundancies do become necessary following the financial scrutiny, then ways and means of avoiding compulsion should be sought.
UNISON has now bee issued with a “Section 188 notice” for 95 voluntary posts.
While accepting that volunteers are preferable as an alternative to compulsion, UNISON objects to the volunteer being vetted by the authority on affordability and a 50% cap.
Volunteers should be allowed to leave regardless of cost on the current scheme without a cap.
Likewise UNISON is opposed to the current scheme being further revised from 1 April 2009.
You will recall that the current redundancy scheme was introduced in April 2008, offering twice the number of weeks payable as compensation for the loss of additional years being offered under the pension scheme.
Altering the scheme again at this stage while two section 188 notices are still pending (September 2008 and January 2009) is wholly inappropriate and a further “kick in the teeth” to a loyal workforce that is already facing the brunt of these cuts through no fault of their own.
Furthermore consultation on these changes with UNISON has been minimal, the draft report was waiting for me on the 5 January 2009 on my return from annual leave, we then met with your senior officers on 12/01/09 to express our serious concerns, a second hastily arranged meeting was then held on 16/01/09 at which our concerns were expressed again.
UNISON will take legal advice on whether these changes amount to a unilateral change to contracts (we do not agree with them) and if the consultation so far has been meaningful. In the meantime I would ask that no decision is taken on this report and that any redundancy, voluntary or compulsory is avoided where possible or paid under the current scheme.
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely
Adrian Turner
Branch Secretary
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