North Lanarkshire rejects new job evaluation package

by Ryan McNamee

UNISON members in North Lanarkshire Council have rejected the Job Evaluation and Harmonisation package proposed by the employer.

In a ballot 67.5% voted to reject the package. The Council offered an original package in January 2006, but following mass meetings, the unions re-entered negotiations to try and improve the package.

The amended package went to ballot on 28 February. The package would have seen 44% of staff gaining an immediate increase salary from July 2006, and 5% with a increased maximum salary.

Conversely 12% would immediately lose out and 4% would have a reduced maximum salary. For those losing out, there was a 5-year preservation for basic salary, two years more than the National Agreement.

Allowances would have been protected for three years at their cash equivalent at April 2006. Negotiations on new allowances would have taken place over the next three years for implementation from April 2009. Every worker would now be on incremental pay scales, payable on 1 July 2007 then 1 April every year afterwards.

Before the ballot was authorised, UNISON arranged for the package to be subject to an Equality Impact Assessment to ensure the package meets Equal Pay legislation.

Equal Pay Update: Compensation offers are being made in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dumfries and Scottish Borders with ongoing job evaluation issues in many branches.

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