Grey Skies

GREY SKIES OVER ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL STAFF

The new government may be talking of blue skies but for people employed by Essex County Council the future looks bleak.

UNISON have seen documents including proposals for the following reductions in staff and / or conditions of employment. These include:

• Reducing the number of employees by 85 full time equivalents.

• Cease bonus payments for the lowest paid employees (band 1 to 4). These payments are available to staff on theses bands who have reached the top of their grade and can range from £100 to £300. Staff at this level include most of those who deliver front line services to the public as well as many of those who support them.

• No pay for the first day of sickness. Essex is also looking to see how much they would save if they did not pay for the first 2 days or even the first 3 days.

• Reducing the working week from 37 hours to 36 or 35 per week. This sounds good but they are not going to pay for the reduction in hours so staff will lose 1 or 2 hours pay. On top of this they are looking into the above they are freezing any pay claim for 2 years.

“We have raised our concerns with the Council today and have been told that no decisions have been made on these proposals as yet. However, it is extremely disappointing that they never approached us to talk about these issues. There will be a severe impact on the services our members provide for the people of Essex and staff morale if these proposals are approved”

These discussions have taken place behind closed doors maybe while they were making the decision that they give councillors a 6.1%PAYRISE AND £41,000 FOR LUNCHES £7,000 FOR BISCUITS AND FINALLY £15,000 FOR TEA & COFFEE!