Unions threaten to strike in new pay row

Around 1000 council workers in Edinburgh are thought to have been paid less than they had expected in their first pay packet since the equal pay shake-up was forced through.

Staff had been promised that pay would be protected for three years under the "modernising pay" process but it has now emerged that the protected salary is based on the total pay figure on last year's P60. That means that those who took unpaid sick leave or voluntary leave in 2009/10 are now receiving a lower salary than expected.

Union leaders met with council officials yesterday but the meeting did not lead to a breakthrough. Unison has launched a consultative ballot with members and Unite is expected to launch its own ballot in the coming days.

A formal "failure to agree" notice was now expected to be lodged by both unions, which will lead to the case coming before a panel of councillors within eight days.

Stephen MacGregor, convener of Unite in Edinburgh, said: "We will do what we have to to protect our members because this is an attack on the sick."

Philip Barr, head of human resources at the council, said: "Before the new pay arrangements were introduced, staff bonus pay was always reduced as a result of sickness absence. That level of reduction is reflected in future pay protection. Internal talks are continuing regarding this issue and we hope to reach a resolution in the near future."