Thousands of council workers face swingeing pay cuts

Published on Wednesday 6 June 2007 12:01

THOUSANDS of city council workers face losing up to £4000 a year under a new wage structure.

The move is part of a nationwide restructuring of local authority wage structures which will see many benefit through new equal pay rules.

But union leaders fear up to 3000 people, or one in five staff, could see their salaries cut under the scheme. They say talks have come to a standstill with the council, after they rejected the first proposals. They are still in a consultation process, and details are due to be finalised in August.

Workers in West Lothian and East Lothian have been told that around 14 or 15 per cent of staff face pay cuts. West Lothian Council employees could be balloted on industrial action, after unions failed to reach an agreement.

The Transport and General Workers' Union has now warned that the majority of its 1400 members at the city council could lose thousands of pounds.

The cuts are due to jobs being re-evaluated, and changes in rates for public holidays and overtime.

Most staff affected will not be paid at the lower rate immediately, but will have their pay "frozen" for up to three years.

Local TGWU convener Stephen McGregor said: "The pay and grading proposals that were put to us would result in low-paid workers potentially losing 3500.

"We knew there would be winners and losers, but the amount of money that people are losing is unacceptable.

"I represent a lot of road sweepers and refuse collectors. All of them are getting downgraded substantially.

"If the council got their way, we could actually turn people out into the streets. They wouldn't be able to pay their mortgages.

"I've had members phoning up in tears worried about their futures."

He said a meeting scheduled for next Monday was the latest in half a dozen cancelled meetings.

Under the most recent proposals, roadsweepers earning around 16,000 a year would be paid 13,045 - a drop of 3000. Some drivers have been told they stand to lose 4000.

One roadsweeper said: "They are giving us more work to do but cutting our pay. Everyone's head is down just now. People are talking about losing their homes because of the pay cut."

Council leader Jenny Dawe also voiced her concern. She said: "This seems completely contrary to what equal pay is supposed to be about. Women and low-paid workers are not expected to be the ones who are suffering."

The city council has put aside 10 million a year for the next three years to cover the cost of the equal pay process. A spokeswoman said the proposal was still at the consultation stage, and negotiations were ongoing.