Union vows to work for better deal in Brighton and Hove Council staff pay row (From The Argus)

Union vows to work for better deal in Brighton and Hove Council staff pay row

7:00am Sunday 10th February 2013 in News

Union representatives have vowed to work with staff on plans to revamp a town hall pay structure.

Brighton and Hove City Council wants to overhaul the special allowances paid to three-quarters of its 8,000-strong workforce.

It claims the current system of extra payments is “no longer fit for purpose”.

But union representatives have blasted the reform, claiming it is intended to reduce the pay bill at a time of Government cuts.

The first meeting between union representatives and council bosses about the issue took place earlier this week.

It is understood that two dates have been set for specific negotiations about revising the payments, which include overtime, late shift allowance and car mileage.

A joint letter sent by Alex Knutsen, of Unison, and Mark Turner, of the GMB, was sent to all their members after the meeting warning of the “serious situation”.

It said: “We will enter into negotiations in good faith with the employer. If agreement can be achieved, well and good.

“However, we will not be bound by the employer’s timescale, and if agreement cannot be reached then we will ask members for your decision on what you wish to do.

“It is very likely, that this would be by means of an industrial action ballot.

“It is crucial that this matter is brought to a successful conclusion, as it will ‘set the scene’ for industrial relations in the city council for the foreseeable future.”

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