[20
APR 00] COVENTRY CITY COUNCIL NEWS
Council Staff Reject Single Status
BY ANTONY HOPKER
Coventry council workers have overwhelmingly voted against
proposed changes that would have seen thousands of staff members’ salaries reduced.
They have called for
councillors to go back to the drawing board after 95 per cent of balloted union members
rejected the plans.
Union leaders at the
Transport and General Workers’ Union say the package put to the workers by the city
council would lead to thousands of workers losing out.
They estimate that up
to 11,000 people could see their salaries cut – some by up to £5,000.
The changes are being
brought about as part of the Single Status deal, which has been negotiated nationally.
The aim is to even out
any unfair payments in the system. Some workers get bonuses for doing their job, while
others in the same position do not.
But the review in
Coventry was merged with a re-evaluation of more than 2,000 jobs.
The resulting
proposals have been slammed by representatives from Unison and the T+GWU.
Around 100 council
workers used their lunch hour to heckle councillors before Tuesday’s council meeting.
And their displeasure
was confirmed in the ballot, which was counted yesterday.
A spokesman said:
“As
a result of this rejection the Joint Negotiating Committees is calling upon Coventry City
Council to stay within the principles of the Single Status National Agreement and re-enter
into serious negotiations with a view to arriving at an acceptable formula in the hope of
achieving a joint-negotiated agreement.”
SEE: [18 APR 00] ANGRY WORKERS HECKLE COUNCILLORS
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