Todmorden News

Calderdale MBC Fair And Equal Pay Decision Is Delayed

Moves to ensure Council staff are paid fairly for the work they do were delayed yesterday as Calderdale’s Full Council meeting, agreed to adjourn a decision on plans to re-grade hundreds of jobs. All Councils have to undertake a ‘job evaluation’ exercise as part of the National Terms and Conditions of Service for Local Authority staff. It is to ensure that people are paid fairly for the work they are doing regardless of gender, race or disability, and formed part of national pay negotiations in 2004.

The Council has evaluated nearly 7000 jobs, with staff completing detailed questionnaires about their work, and having in-depth interviews with a specially trained team.

The Council has worked closely with Trades Unions throughout the process, and is waiting on a formal response from representatives at a national level before it can consider implementation of the scheme.

Councillor Stephen Baines, Leader of Calderdale Council, said:

“It is crucial that we move forward with Job Evaluation in Calderdale so we can ensure our employees are paid fairly for the work that they do. When consultations with the Trades Unions have reached a conclusion, the Council meeting will be reconvened to discuss the final proposals.”

Consultation is also underway with Council employees who are in receipt of bonus payments. Under Equal Pay legislation, it is no longer possible for the Council to pay unmeasured bonus payments to staff. Pay protection arrangements have also been deemed unlawful, so the Council is exploring other ways to offer support to staff who will be affected.

The most senior posts at the Council are also under review. Informal consultation on a new senior management structure began on 6 February, and a report is likely to be considered by the Council’s Cabinet in March.

Visit The Calderdale MBC Website