Council leader's vow in pay cuts row

Jamie MacDonald • Published 4 Feb 2010 10:11 43 Comments

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COUNCIL leader Janet Cadenhead has offered to resign her post if it is ever proven that there is a connection between the implementation of Single Status pay and the authority's financial black hole.

Speaking at Thursday's full council meeting, Ms Cadenhead gave the assurance during a motion put forward to acknowledge the widespread concern and criticism that has resulted from the new pay arrangements for council workers.

In recent weeks many employees of the local authority have been angered to discover their pay packets will be slashed.

The Advertiser website has been inundated with unhappy staff, some claim to be losing figures in the region of one third of their wage, with many believing the savings made will go towards the council's £9 million budget shortfall.

The paper, put forward by councillor Craig Holden, stated that the council would commit itself to imposing the pay and grading scheme in a fair and transparent manner which would respect the contribution every member of staff makes towards the organisation.

No connection

Speaking on the motion, Ms Cadenhead said, "There is not a person around this table who does not value our staff.

"The bit that bothers me most is that there is no connection between the budget situation and any changes that were made.

"It was worked on all summer and I am prepared to put my job on the line for the chief executive. There is no connection between the budget situation and the evaluation that went out.

"I have accepted as leader of the council that any changes were not affected by any changes in the budget. If it is ever proved otherwise I will resign as leader of the council.

She added, "An organisation can't function without the goodwill of their staff.

"The process of the Single Status review is to have an informal review, if you don't agree it goes to appeal with an independent chair.

"I urge the members of staff who don't feel they have been treated well to go through the informal and formal appeals."

At the start of the meeting, a call to allow the Joint Trade Union Committee (JTUC) to speak to the motion was turned down.

"Labour and Tory councillors voted against the motion to allow JTUC representatives to address council.

Speaking on turning down the trade union's request, Provost Derek Stewart said, "Never has the trade unions been denied a meeting by the council. There is a format for the trade unions to use and they have never once been refused a meeting."

Councillors unanimously backed a renewed commitment to minimise the financial loss to staff through the provision of new opportunities and opportunities to develop job roles and skills.

SNP councillor Gary Womersley spoke of plans in March 2009 that anticipated Single Status would result in 64 per cent of employees enjoying a pay rise, while 20 per cent would not change and 16 per cent going down.

The revised pay structure will see 22 per cent improve their pay, 80 per cent stay the same and 28 per cent suffer a wage drop.

He said, "I think there is a potential crisis here. A week before the budget we are cutting management, cutting Fairer Scotland funding and reducing kinship care allowance.

"I have never received as many contacts as I have over this. I think there is a crisis in confidence and morale.

"We are in great danger of losing the goodwill of the workforce and that is a dangerous position for any organisation to be in."

Mr Holden urged those unhappy with their pay review not to accept it.

Perception

He continued, "The perception is we don't give a damn and it is important that we do discuss these measures."

Mr Holden went on, "It is clear to me that the application for the JTUC to speak at today's council meeting should have been included in the agenda.

"The Labour Tory coalition have combined to ensure that did not happen and, for me, that is a clear breach of standing orders.

"But, more importantly, the Labour part, aided and abetted by their Tory stooge, have prevented the trade unions speaking at a public meeting on the impact of Single Status has had on the work force.

"Previous Labour administrations were said to have run this council like North Korea but at least they had the decency to allow unions and workers in before throwing them out.

"It is no way to treat union colleagues, no way to treat workers and has no place in any supposedly democratic council."

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Anon
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Feb 4, 12:27
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This article is laughable, The staff were given their newsletter in March 2009 explaning that 64% of staff will go up (green) and 16% will go down (red). In December 2009 this had changed to 28% went down (some as much as £7,000) and 24% are now going up. Between those dates the Council panicked over its budget deficit of -£9M so there is your link Janet !!

See you in Job Centre Plus

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bystandard
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Feb 4, 12:36
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A few comments on Janet's statement

There are a large number of workers that have been affected by management verification. Many of those who have taken a drop in pay are women. Staff and managers have been told that the Council refuses to release the initial job data developed prior to management verification. There is also concern that because dismissal letters are out the council will be reluctant to amend outcomes in the informal review.

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More Political Posturing
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Feb 4, 12:52
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SNP councillor Gary Womersley - "We are in great danger of losing the goodwill of the workforce and that is a dangerous position for any organisation to be in."

Fine words Cllr. Womersely. I wonder if your SNP colleagues running West Dunbartonshire Council felt the same way for their forced implementation of single-status on their workforce?

Moral of the story. It's time for Councillors to leave their Political masters and Memberships out of the equasion here, get together and solve this problem.

The Clackmannanshire Council workforce deserves more than to be used as chess pieces in Party Political battles.

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More Political Posturing
Unregistered User
Feb 4, 12:55
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SNP councillor Gary Womersley - "We are in great danger of losing the goodwill of the workforce and that is a dangerous position for any organisation to be in."

Fine words Cllr. Womersely. I wonder if your SNP colleagues running West Dunbartonshire Council felt the same way for their forced implementation of single-status on their workforce?

Moral of the story. It's time for Councillors to leave their Political masters and Memberships out of the equasion here, get together and solve this problem.

The Clackmannanshire Council workforce deserves more than to be used as chess pieces in Party Political battles.

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More Political Posturing
Unregistered User
Feb 4, 13:15
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SNP councillor Gary Womersley - "We are in great danger of losing the goodwill of the workforce and that is a dangerous position for any organisation to be in."

Fine words Cllr. Womersely. I wonder if your SNP colleagues running West Dunbartonshire Council felt the same way for their forced implementation of single-status on their workforce?

Moral of the story. It's time for Councillors to leave their Political masters and Memberships out of the equasion here, get together and solve this problem.

The Clackmannanshire Council workforce deserves more than to be used as chess pieces in Party Political battles.

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Clacks UNISON
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Feb 4, 13:18
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The Clackmannanshire UNISON branch has serious concerns over the council's management of the national Scottish Joint Council Job Evaluation Scheme.

The Council has not carried out the Job Evaluation process in accordance with the scheme. After the Trade Union lodged a dispute on the Council failure to carry out the Job Overview stage of the process, we managed to achieve agreement that the Council would allow this stage to be retrospectively carried out under the***le of 'Informal Review'. Going into the process we are finding that the Council are refusing to supply the information that we feel is vital to allow the 'Informal Review' to be carried out correctly.

The Trade Unions are still meeting with management to discuss how to take this stage forward for our members.

Clackmannanshire UNISON is also seeking advice and guidance from our legal team at UNISON Scotland who spec*alise in equalities. We need advice on the legality of what the Council are imposing and the implications for our members.

Prior to the imposition letters going out, the Trade Unions asked their members to reject the Councils proposals. We must thank all members who overwhelmingly rejected these proposals.

Shop stewards(who are all voluntary)are working very hard, sometimes into the evening in our own time, to try to fix this mess that our employer has got us into.

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oberver in the midst
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Feb 4, 16:53
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"The revised pay structure will see 22 per cent improve their pay, 80 per cent stay the same and 28 per cent suffer a wage drop."

So 130% is the figure in employment at Clackmannanshire Council. Ahhh so that's where it's all been going wrong then!

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Angry Bystander
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Feb 4, 19:24
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Whilst the maths suggest a slight difficulty with numbers here, we keep on seeing the number of those who 'are staying the same'. This is a complete nonsense as these people will be doing the equivalent of over a week's more work per year with no extra pay. Check the hourly rates - all of these workers are having a pay cut!

And for the sake of the transparency requested by Cllr Holden, where are the review sheets completed by managers last spring? Surely these are essential for appeals, but they won't be released! Something being hidden??

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Demoralised
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Feb 4, 19:37
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I am one of the numerous already low paid admin/clerical staff who seem to have bore the brunt of this farcical money saving (oops sorry I am supposed to say equality) exercise.

Councillors and management tell us that this process is all open and above board so why oh why is it proving so difficult to get copies of information that relates to me from our unhelpful Single Status team.

I have asked for a copy of the notes my manager made when my post was reviewed – I am told a decision hasn't been made yet if we will be allowed this!?!?!

I have asked for a copy of the original form that I completed in 2004 – I am told it no longer exists!?!?!?!

I have asked for a copy of my original Job Overview before it was signed off by my manager –again told it no longer exists!?!!?!?

Where have these documents gone? If they have been destroyed – when and why? What are they hiding? If they are operating an open an honest policy why are they making it so difficult for me to see documents that the Data Protection law says I am entitled to see. Is it just a time wasting exercise so they can shred evidence? They want us to trust them but trust is earned!!

The only outcome I see from all this is that the dedicated, hard working staff currently going that extra mile for the people of Clackmannanshire will leave for jobs where they are appreciated and recognised. I dread the thought of my family and friends requiring a service from the Council in the future and the demoralised people that will be left behind to provide them.

All staff want is to be treated with respect and not continually treated like idiots.

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Angela
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Feb 4, 22:00
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Have you noticed that Angela is keeping a low profile hinding away in her office. Where is the people focused CX are you a bit scared to face your staff. Perhaps you will come to the Unions AGM or briefing sessions and explain yourself to your workers.

I that will be right !!

Perhaps Janet will also face her workers as well as the AGM or other Union breifing

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tell the politicians
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Feb 4, 23:34
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Any Council wh's primary negotiation position is to sack 70% of its staff to FORCE them to accept a new contract requiring more work for less pay is being run by the dishonest at the behest of the dishonorable. Janet claims the cuts have nothing to do with single status well the Sunday Herald this week who spoke to her has a different story claiming savings of £400K attributable to pay cuts.The claim that nobody will lose pay until 2013 is not being challenged by the media the Wee County were told but didn't follow up on the fact that many stand to lose large sums from April this year because of enforced changes to conditions of service.Changes to your contract which result in a loss of pay should be challenged especially if they are not agreed...don't let your union negotiate away your terms and conditions pay protection should be their only position. The Unions should have no truck with any detriment to anybody's wages whether to settle equal pay claims or not a cut is a cut and it doesn't make it right if it's from someone who gets paid more or less it is wrong for everyone.I think the unions should organise a mass demonstration for everyone members and non members alike to show solidarity and demand an end to this flawed, divisive and illegal process.And I never thought I would see the day when Janet Cadenhead, Derek Stewart, Kenny Errol etc allowed their officers to put them and us into this position. If this is a fair and open process then why is it that managers are not able to give answers, helplines can't help, HR isn't replying and consultation didn't take place? A recent poll showed that Politicians are now lower than journalists in terms of public trust....Hmm I wonder why???

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The Herald
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Feb 5, 07:25
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Seems to me the following Quote from the Herald identifies further cuts are on the way!!

"Clackmannanshire Council is looking to save £9m when it sets its budget next month, and leader Janet Cadenhead said the authority faced "the toughest financial challenge ever".

Measures identified so far include efficiency savings of 2% across all services to save £1.9m, cutting pay to save £400,000, juggling staff vacancies to save £1m, paying all staff except teachers four weeks in arrears instead of two to save £1.2m, and cancelling a £1m contribution to council reserves. These still leave a £2.3m shortfall and cuts in frontline services seem inevitable".

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OmG
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Feb 5, 08:07
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Can we perhaps get this thread back on course?

Janet Cadenhead says she'll resign if a link between SS and budget savings can be proven.

Any half-baked dimwit can see that an announcement in March 2009 clearly stating "16%" will lose out, followed later in the year after the discovery of a £9m black hole, a further announcement that "28%" will lose out, is clear, unequivocal, indisputable and totally irrefutable evidence that figures have been manipulated to accommodate budget savings!

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waste of time
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Feb 5, 09:23
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Well I suppose I should be the first to say goodbye to Janet Cadenhead then ! Thanks for nothing !

As one of those white circled (supposedly not losing anything) perhaps she can explain to me why when the unions saw the first evaluation result of my job I was judged a grade 5 and suddenly when my letter came I have been assigned top of grade 3 with no more room to increase my salary incrementally. I am stuck ! That is a major pay cut. I have also (like many others) been told I have to work an extra 1/2 an hour each week which is the only reason my annual salary has stayed the same - my actual rate has decreased. I work in a predominatntly female profession and so cannot see how there is any equality been applied here. My interesting job profile states, however, I am able to work with a chain saw although I cannot concentrate for more than an hour. Seeing as I am a classroom assistant - I can assure you, theres not much need for chain saws and I have to be 100% for my whole day.

The silly thing is Janet - if you had asked us under the current climate to take a percentage decrease in our salaries to help towards the shortfall we probably would have all agreed but you and you council cronies have sold us down the water. Shame on you !

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Angry Bystander
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Feb 5, 09:26
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Any fool can see that when the results of Single Status were finally revealed there was an impact from the £9m hole, and Cadenhead knows that. She also knows, however, that finding the smoking gun is going to prove extremely difficult, given the fact that lots of documents leading up to this have miraculously gone, or won't be revealed. She thinks she's making what is, ultimately, an empty pledge, but hopefully someone in the corporate centre has scruples sufficient to help the truth to be revealed.

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bawbag
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Feb 5, 16:04
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Go Janet - GO - GO - GO!

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Angela
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Feb 5, 21:12
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I was wondering which HOS will be successful over the next few weeks lets hope they challenge the incompetant process that the council has undertaken as staff challenge their scores.

Also when the the Head of HR sent out everyone's 90 day notice they forgot to send out these in registered post. Therefore the Council can not prove that staff recived this. So on March 29th all staff have to do is tell their managers I have not recived my 90 day notice so my terms and conditions and pay + incremental increase should kick in

Woops another cock up by the soon to leave management !!

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Angela
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Feb 5, 21:14
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Aother point if staff get a new job and they start on March 29th 2010 they do not need to give any notice or tell their employer so lots of staff will not be in place and the COuncil will not know anything about it till then and they will still have to provide good references and pay.

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A disgusted employee
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Feb 5, 23:03
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Lies! Lies! Lies! thats all the clacks council is good for. the original forms people filled in that were requested from many years ago did get delivered this week but guess what most people did not get the one they filled in but one a supposed manager thought was suitable to them. working in a secondary school most people who got one was one filled in by primary school workers with playground duties on them totally different job role. What a sham are the council not panicing now? Now that information has been requested and so much bad publicity has been given do they now feel the need to supply us with information just a shame this information is not relevant to the people in these posts. WHAT A JOKE!!!

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Mr. Honest
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Feb 5, 23:24
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Reading the local papers this week I would like to know how the council and councillors see fit to use money given from the government to fund local poverty "Fairer Scotland Funding" around £460,000 can be used towards the councils "black hole" surely this is illegal? I hope that every parent is aware of the huge changes in store this year. Less choices for pupils picking subjects as headteachers reshuffle staff and timtables to make ends meet, cut support staff in a bid to claw back more money so in effect pupils who need help in classes will no longer get it and it would not surprise me if they put 5th and 6years in mixed classes to reduce costs. Where will it all end?

Watch this space for the next saga!!

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Clacks UNISON
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Feb 6, 15:17
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A discusted employee

Please bring this to the attention of your union rep so that when you challenge your grading they have the full informarion to help you and to help others so we have evidence to support this incompetant approach by the employees

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sickofitall
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Feb 7, 12:07
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I agree with an earlier comment, the councillors are elected to serve the people of the area, doing what is good for them and not to blindly follow "party lines". If there is a problem, stop all the shouting about the other parties being at fault, you are representing the local paople so sit down and fix it!

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Joanna P
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Feb 8, 15:24
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Am I missing somehting here? People who work for local Councils get paid a good wage; get flexi time; good holiday entitelement; full sick pay; dependency leave; a final salary pension and a promise that they won't be made redundant. That's a pretty good deal in comparison to the people who pay their wages. Council workers should be treated fairly, but we should remember that these changes have been brought about because for many years lots of women have been paid less than men who do similarly skilled jobs.

We can't afford to increase everyone's wages to be the same as the top earners just now - I for one can't afford to pay more Council tax just because local council workers want to have their cake and eat it. Everyone else in this county is going through financial pain - it is about time council workers did too.

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red
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Feb 8, 15:56
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Joanna P

This is not about getting more money from our residents but ensuring that when 2,500 staff get re-graded that they can appeal if they feel they have been overly penalised becuase of single status. I do not think it is the responsibility of officers to rectify the mistakes of the management and HR of Clackmannanshire Council over in-equality of wages. Also you seem to be unaware that people are being made reducdant in their droves at the Council this means less workers to help out the vulnerble in society. But you are correct in that we get flxi time, holiday entitlement (the same as most other organisations) sick pay (this is the law) dependancy leave( the law) and final salary pension if staff retire now. Not to sure staff will have this in 20 years time though

Overall interesting comments a little off the mark but interesting all the same

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Angry ex Labour supporter
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Feb 8, 17:13
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Joanna P

The Single Status agreement has taken Clackmannanshire Council over ten years to complete. The aims of the agreement were, allegedly, to address the issue of pay discrimination in local government. From the employers' side this was an attempt to prevent employment tribunals that would have cost the council thousands of pounds in settlements to mostly low paid women workers who had traditionally been discriminated against in comparison to male workers in broadly similar positions.In brief,they paid male manual workers bonuses which they did not pay to female manual workers.

Shockingly, Clackmannanshire Council has placed the burden of addressing this issue less on themselves, and more on taking money off other workers, many of whom are low paid and female to fund this shoddy agreement.

It is a disgrace that a so called Labour administration are backing this agreement. Janet Cadenhead can not claim to value staff and then cut the wages of over 25% of the staff. If there is no connection between the budget situation the resultant Job Evaluation, why were the letters detailing the new grade and salary placing's not sent out in September as planned but held back till December? It was originally stated that only 16% would suffer a pay decrease,it is now 28% of those who have had their jobs evaluated. Why should some the staff suffer a pay cut so the council can wriggle out of its responsibilities.

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Angry Bystander
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Feb 8, 18:17
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Joanna P - Whilst I may have one or 2 other comments regarding what you say I agree with you absolutely regarding what the point of single status was - getting equality and fai

ess in the wage structure between men and women doing similar jobs. The problem is that the lower paid, administrative roles are mostly taken by women and all the evidence from people I have spoken with confirms that it is these people who have been hit the hardest.

The point of all of these comments is that fai

ess and transparency have gone out of the window. Under the guise of single status the majority of people have seen their pay cut (I include here those who has supposedly stayed the same!), with many households suffering cuts that will put them in very serious financial straits (forget the 3 year cushion - people will lose out from this April onwards).

Cllr Cadenhead can make her empty threat/promise knowing that the shredders have been doing their work for her and that evidence of what actually happened is being very carefully hidden.

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Jimmy Neebur
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Feb 9, 01:45
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Have jist been catchin up wae aw this stuff. Lookin in fae the ootside ah can kinda see where some folk come fae when the say cooncil workies should be glad tae huv a job given yon economic crunchie stuff. Ah ken a few cooncil workies though and ken a bit aboot the way things actually operate. Personally ah think the workies dae a good job and many were previously underpaid in comparison tae the 'market rate' fur the jobs they dae. Ah suppose the main thing that made yon jobs attractive wis the decent pension. This whole pay cut tae fund a budget blackhole seems tae have jist made things aw the worse.

Tae my point now.... the thing that really concerns me is the actual haundling of this whole situation by the cooncil heid yins and the councillors in power. It disnae exactly inspire ye with confidence that they can dae the best fur the wee coonty. When we git tae the stage that the leader is offerin up her heid then things canny be aw rosey.

If the cooncil have nothing tae hide then they should jist release AW the paperwork and computer files that relate tae aw this stuff. Am sure they've got aw the files locked away somewhere in a secret bunker/computer at yon Greenfield hahaha!

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Clacks
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Feb 11, 20:08
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At a tri-partite meeting on 10 February between Council officials, unions and councillors, it was decided to move forward with the agreed review processes in the implementation of Single Status.

Council leader Janet Cadenhead said, "I welcome yesterday's constructive discussion and the focus on working together to implement Single Status. We have agreed that the informal review stage of the process should include discussion of line manager's review of job overviews and that unions and the Council will consult on the appointment of the independent chair of the appeals panel.

"I was glad that those directly involved had the chance to demonstrate that changes to the pay and grading structure were necessary before the Council's budget position became know. These changes were made on the advice of an independent equalities expert, who was present at the meeting and confirmed this was the case."

In September 2009, a structure was proposed which would have seen 15% of staff 'red circled' with their pay going down, 45% 'green', receiving more pay, and 40% 'white', staying the same. On 22 September, just before letters were sent out informing staff of their new pay and grade, the Council was advised that the proposed structure failed the equality impact assessment. The structure was therefore withdrawn.

In October, the Council's budget position became clear.

In December 2009, a revised structure was endorsed by the independent equalities assessment. This structure saw 28% of staff red circled, 25% green and 47% white. This is the structure now being implemented, with an agreed informal review and formal appeals process.

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spaceman
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Feb 11, 20:22
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uzz that samebidy fae cooncills naw pittin stuff awn here like?

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Angry Bystander
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Feb 11, 21:08
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Constructive discussion? Does that mean that Unison tugged its forelock where necessary, or that it was told what the situation was, like it or stick it? Does anyone believe Cadenhead's and this council spokesperson's tripe? And to 'Clacks' 28% red and 47% white means 75% lose, because all the 'whites' will have a lower pay per hour rate! How thick do they think we are? Obviously very!

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red
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Feb 12, 07:10
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What do you think our politicians lie to us. After all Blair, Brown, Eden etc have all told us the truth and I doubt the current batch of councillors would lie to us

I that will be right

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council worker
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Feb 12, 10:55
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heard all public toilets in clackmananshire to close in 6 weeks time!

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Angry Bystander
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Feb 12, 11:18
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Not necessary related to this, I know, but a couple of points which demonstrate the environment of dishonesty and poor management currently shrouding Clacks Council:

1 I note work has started with regard to changing the Council's logo. At a time of cutbacks across the board, staff losses, exhortations to stop doing what th Council is not required by law to do, how much is this process going to cost/ Signs, letter heads, software systems, leaflets etc? Must be a few jobs that could have been saved by this frivolous move! Shouldn't the papers be picking up on this waste?

2 I note also that the ongoing restructure is a result of months of work involving discussions at so-called delivery groups. From what I hear, anyone who went within a yard of these meeting will know this to be a complete nonsense. Some people might call it a lie!

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angela
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Feb 12, 16:04
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I think that this is all to do with the following.

1. New Chief Executive needs to get Single Statsus through ASAP

2. HR have taken longer to roll this out than 2nd WWorld War

3. Senior Management are all out of their depth

4. Staff budget is too high

5. Recession on right now

6. Budget not in place

7. Unions are not getting the support they need from Head Officers

Answer

1. Screw staff while rolling out Single Status - most will leave thus cuts the wage bill

2. fire all HOS this will stop them fighting their corner

3. slash the budgets

4. do this all at once so no-one can fight any single issue

5. get labour and SNP to fight with each other over theis while this is rolled out.

6. Make sure you are doing this wile Glasgow and Edinburgh are going through the same problems thus keeping the national press of your backs

Worse case senario - A few comments in the local press success!!

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red
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Feb 12, 16:05
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Did you hear they are now slashing staff in the head officer at the COuncil apparently they are planning to make £1m savings from staff cuts.

Hello job Centre plus you are going to have a busy year

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******
Feb 12, 23:53
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tellthepoliticians
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Feb 16, 15:07
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If you read the BBC Scotland website their report on Friday firmly lays the blame for the downgrading following job evaluation at Managers door. In other words the grades we were all given in January last year were cut by managers.

Can someone tell me what the instructions given to managers during the job overview process process was. Why aren't Unison calling for a dispute which protects the status quo untill it is properly resolved??

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tellthe politicians
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Feb 16, 16:16
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The quote below is lifted directly from Cosla's Job evaluation guidance, this stage was missed out and your trade unions seem to think that's OK. So it's OK to let someone else decide...and by the way they have to hurry up (and save money???)

Agreement of Job Facts - the content of the job overview document should be discussed, agreed and signed-off between the jobholder and their line manager. The Head of Department may wish to take an overview of the facts of a range of jobs, and be involved in agreeing key jobs, if appropriate. Any amendments to the document should be discussed and agreed by consensus, if the jobholder wishes to involve a Trades Union representative this should be accommodated.

If jobholders and their line managers are unable to agree the content of the document they should seek the assistance of the relevant Job analyst in the first instance, to ensure that both parties to the discussion understand the various factor headings and how they are to be applied. If they are still unable to reach a consensus regarding the facts of the job, the matter should be referred to the Head of Department for clarification of the job content through discussion with the relevant Job analyst.

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OmG
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Feb 16, 18:41
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I thought this thread was about the Council leader preparing to resign if the 'savings' generated by SS could be linked to the black hole??

Well ... according to my 'sources', in the literature she was sent by her HR dept, there is mention of her wages being paid in arrears. According to the council there are a 'few' people who are paid differently so what they are doing is making the vast majority suffer in order to bring them into line with 'the few', on top of that, the council will 'save' £1.2 million in the process.

Now I am not a philadelphia lawyer, BUT, why would the council want to save over £1 million a year if it wasn't linked directly to its financial predicament?? Hellooooooo ..... !!!

As wee Ann Robinson would say .... 'Janet __ you ARE the weakest link ____ Goodbye!!!!

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Angry Bystander
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Feb 16, 23:20
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tellthepoliticians - Bearing in mind the BBC report was as a result of a press release from Cadenhead which lied about Unison agreement take anything it says with a pinch of salt. The results of the managers' review were very different from those finally released to staff. Of course, this could be proven if HR were to release documentation on the managers' review for the appeals, but they won't! Why's that, I wonder. It's because to do so would demonstrate that a decision was taken elsewhere to downgrade staff, with this not being down to the managers.

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politicalposturing
Unregistered User
Feb 16, 23:31
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....has anyone heard anymore from our MSP Keith Brown and his fine gallant words in the Alloa Advertiser on the 20th January about getting involved, finding out what's going on and sorting this mess out at Clackmannanshire Council?

Or has Keith Brown given namesake Gordon Brown's Superman "save the World" cape back to him for now?

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GAR
Unregistered User
Feb 18, 12:42
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This is absolutely rediculous. This is us now paying for all the Administration errors. Are they suppose to be checking the finance of the council and stopping it getting into this mess. We obviously have a bigger problem than we realise if jobs are to go, massive cuts in all departments of the council etc, etc etc.

Mind you, we're getting new superloos. Must be really handy for the junkies for privacy. Did I say junkies, I meant Elected members.

Mind you, we are having a consultation on a new primary school. Alloa does need one but it makes you wonder if we gunning for bankruptcy for the new financial year.

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council worker
Unregistered User
Feb 19, 16:11
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Why is the Scottish media tv and Radio not covering this story? its people's livelihoods the council are playing with here, as i am set to lose £ 4,500 in 3 yrs time it is very difficult to go about my everyday work as if nothing has happened with all this Single-Status nonsense hanging over me( and countless others)its like getting blood out of a stone trying to find out how far the unions are progessing and what the next moves are,

Thank goodness for this forum i seem to find out more here than at work !

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******
Mar 4, 23:01
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Jimmy Lafferty
Unregistered User
Mar 4, 23:04
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Everyone should have a sick day twice a month, that will sort them out..Its hard enough without the lowest wage earners losing even more money...Dont pay your council tax....They cant penalise everyone, and if you cant afford it then tough****.Heating your home is more important than keeping them in high wages...

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