Agenda item

This report sets out the details of the proposal to freeze increments for the financial years 2012/13 and 2013/14 and the results of the consultation process with trade unions and staff.

Discussion:

This report provided details of the outcome of consultation on the proposal to freeze increments for financial years 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. The Cabinet had agreed to consult on these proposals on 6 September 2011 to meet the financial constraints set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan (decision no. 105/2011). The Employment Matters Committee considered and noted the proposal and the consultation process on 28 September 2011.

The report provided details of the formal 90-day consultation period with staff and the Trade Unions (19 September 2011 – 21 December 2011). The Chief Executive and Assistant Director, Organisational Services, had given three presentations to staff on the proposals and there were meetings with the Trade Unions as set out in the report. There were 37 responses from staff, including joint responses from UNISON and ASPECT and there was also a joint response from a team containing 30 signatures. The comments received were set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

The Assistant Director, Organisational Services, summarised the discussion held at the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) prior to the Employment Matters Committee where Councillors had asked for clarification on the present position on negotiations between the Council and the Trade Unions. They had been advised that negotiations were continuing for a £250 payment for staff on £21,500 or less but only on the basis of it being a two year collective agreement, with £250 being paid both years. These two payments would also be pensionable.

The JCC had also stated its concern at the imbalance between various sectors of employees, in particular staff in schools, as they were again not part of the proposal to freeze incremental pay. The JCC had noted that this was a decision for individual governing bodies but that as a result of this it had created issues of inequality and unfairness to other council staff.

A Diversity Impact Assessment (DIA) screening had been undertaken and was set out in Appendix 3a to the report. This has led to a full DIA being undertaken, as set out in Appendix 3b to the report. There was a potential cause for concern for those employees in the age range of 16-24 who were on the lower grades D1, E2 and E1. It appeared from the data that those employees in this group would be adversely affected. However, there was potential for this adverse affect to be mitigated by the payment of £250 for lower paid staff.

Members discussed recommendation 8.1.2 and whether it was appropriate for the Assistant Director, Organisational Services, to be given delegated authority to continue negotiations to reach a collective agreement as the Trade Unions were putting a specific offer to their Members. The Assistant Director, Organisational Services, responded that this recommendation had been put forward so that if the ballot from Trade Union Members came back with a slightly different offer, she would like the opportunity to close the negotiations as quickly as possible.

Decision:

(a) The Employment Matters Committee recommended to Cabinet and Council that:

(i)     increments are frozen for the financial years 2012/13 and 2013/14 with a review of the pay and grading structure being developed and consulted upon during this time.

(ii)   the Assistant Director, Organisational Services is given delegated authority to continue negotiations with the Trade Unions with a view to reaching a collective agreement on this proposal, which achieves, within the present financial constraints, some protection for lower paid staff.

(iii)if this collective agreement is not reached, that individual employees are asked whether they will agree to a variation of their contracts of employment for a freeze of their increments for two years.

(iv)  for individuals who do not agree to this variation, that notice be given that their present contracts of employment are terminated and new contracts are offered stating their increments for 2012 and 2013 will be frozen.

(v)    incremental progression linked to competency levels/qualifications achieved should be retained for the following:

·        Social Workers covered by the Children’s Care Career Grade Scheme,

·        The progression from B1 grade to B2 grade for Care Managers in Adult Social Care who achieve the Post Qualifying 1 award and

·        Soulbury staff eligible for SPA increments (Structured Professional Assessment).

(b)   The Committee agreed that the Assistant Director, Organisational Services commences a complete review of pay and grade with initial findings being reported to this Committee in June 2012.