18.08.14
Confusion over pay review appeals for 1,100 council staff
Council staff who are not being allowed to see how their jobs were assessed in a recent pay review are to appeal the changes, according to the union representing them.
Unison said 1,100 staff at Derby City Council are planning to appeal, though the council is not confirming that.
Some of the union’s members are struggling to put together their case to appeal because of the lack of information coming out of the council, the Derby Telegraph reported.
The council says its pay review was to ensure equal pay for work of equal value, with common terms and conditions, rectifying past inequalities. It says about 600 non-school staff faced cuts in their basic pay, 2,000 will see no change, and 800 will be paid more. But on top of those who lose pay, some lose out through changes to terms and conditions – for example, overtime is being paid at time-and-a-quarter instead of time-and-a-half.
The council's deputy chief executive, Paul Robinson, said in a staff email seen by the Derby Telegraph: “We understand that colleagues are requesting further information to assist with their appeal. However, the council cannot provide this at present due to a contractual issue which we are working hard to resolve.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this delay may cause, but please bear with us, this delay will not affect your appeal.”
Unison assistant branch secretary David Jowett was quoted by the paper as saying: “At the moment, we simply don't know how they reached their conclusions. There is zero information available about the methodology used to calculate the scores arrived at and how the scores relate to any factors or levels of responsibility.”
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