Children's Panel staff threaten action as employers impose pay deal

by Chris Bartter

UNISON is consulting on action following a decision by the Scottish Children's Reporters Administration (SCRA) to unilaterally impose a pay and restructuring offer that only one third of union members voted to accept.

SCRA management decided to impose the package in the middle of negotiations, which only started in March this year. UNISON has agreed to lodge a formal failure to agree and dispute with the employer.

The union is currently consulting with members on the action to be taken. This will include legal action, urgent meetings with Scottish Ministers, and could include industrial action at some level.

The pay offer - overdue since October 2005 - covers increases for staff over 2 years. It also introduces a new pay system which alters levels of pay and the method of uplifting pay. This means rises of 4.7% for some new starts but only 3.6% or 2% to experienced Reporters and Administrative staff.

UNISON has described this as divisive, demoralising and unnecessary. "This is the wrong decision being made at the wrong time and will have a detrimental effect on both staff and morale," said Marion Adamson, UNISON Regional Organiser.

"The pay deal SCRA trumpeted as significantly better than the existing system, fails to deliver an acceptable career structure for staff through the pay grades. It will take reporters and many other staff up to 14 years to reach their full salary."

UNISON's request to allow a further vote on revised proposals, which also included a re-grading of the staff following Job Evaluation, was rejected by the management of SCRA who decided to impose the scheme and pay deal.

Marion Adamson continued "It is sad that the organisation which upholds the rights of children within the justice system, should so readily trample on the rights of their own employees and unilaterally change their conditions without a moment's hesitation or due process."

headlines . top