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| 28/08/2009 |
BURY COUNCIL WORKERS FACE FURTHER CUTS IN TAKE HOME PAY |
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Following an Employment Tribunal decision paving the way for 1,200 low paid women to be paid thousands of pounds more, Bury Council has responded by announcing they intend slashing pay and conditions in a move that will affect the majority of the workforce.
Council employees including Home Carers, Care Assistants, School Caretakers, School Meals Staff and Social Workers will face cuts to their take home pay when the Council reduces various allowances to staff including those working nights, evenings and weekends. The Council are also proposing to reduce car allowances which are currently paid to those staff that use their own cars on Council business.
The Council has previously acted controversially over their pay and grading review which saw large numbers of employees lose money. Only a few weeks ago the Council, having spent over £600,000 in legal costs lost an Employment Tribunal claim lodged by UNISON on behalf of 1,200 low paid women - including cleaners, support workers and cooks - who stand to gain thousands of pounds each after UNISON fought and won an equal pay claim against Bury Metropolitan Borough Council. The Council now plan to waste even more Council Taxpayers money by appealing against the decision.
Keith Bradley, UNISON North West Regional Organiser said "Bury Council have an appalling record in dealing with their employees. Everything they do around staff seems to be mismanaged, with the result that some of the lowest paid employees, including those dealing with front line services, are going to face even more hardship. It's going to be difficult recruiting night workers if the rate for the job is being cut and Home Carers dealing with vulnerable clients are going to be more reluctant to use their vehicles if car allowances are cut."
Mr Bradley added. "The same workers who are owed thousands of pounds of compensation in respect of their Equal Pay claims now find the Council are looking at other ways of cutting their pay. And with the Council appealing against the tribunals ruling, they may end up losing money, before they receive any compensation. This really is a vindictive act by the Council."
UNISON is being consulted on the Council's proposals and the union will be calling a series of meetings with members to allow them to decide what action they wish to take.
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CONTACT DETAILS
• To find out more about membership benefits contact our helpline, UNISONdirect on 0845 355 0845. Lines are open 6am-midnight Mon to Fri and 9am-4pm Sat.
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