Single Status Update

STRIKES, “SECRET DEALS”, AND COUNCILLORS “MISLED”

28-01-2008

The Stirrer has discovered that Birmingham councillors representing all three major parties are demanding an enquiry into a senior officer, who’s been accused to misleading them over Single Status discussions. There are also allegations that a “secret deal” is being hatched to prevent refuse workers striking. All this against the background of a ballot in favour of industrial action.

Director of Human Resources Andy Albon has aroused the anger of the HR Scrutiny Committee which is overseeing the Pay and Grading Review, following claims in December that he'd consulted with a national trade union official over Single Status job questionaires.

Our understanding is that the official concerned has since denied having a discussion with Albon, prompting the Committee chair James Hutchings (Conservative), Carl Rice (Labour) and Emily Cox (Liberal Democrat) to complain to the Chief Executive Stephen Hughes about his behaviour.

Cox said, "I'm not pre-judging anything, but I would like an enquiry."

Aware that there are always two sides to every story, we've asked Andy Albon – via the Council Press Office – for his account, and will of course report it when we get it.

Meanwhile, it's being claimed that a confidential report being presented to the city’s Cabinet today containing details of proposed “hardship” payments to workers who’ll lose out under Single Status will, in fact, disguise a back door deal to protect the wages of bonus earners – including refuse workers.

These are the staff who stand to lose the most under the new settlement, and who could paralyse Council business if they opt for industrial action.

Our understanding is that an element of their bonuses will be protected for at least two years – and that their basic pay may be higher than workers who had comparable Job Evaluations.

If so, it might help quell their anger – but the entire basis of equality on which Single Status is based would be undermined. We shall see.

With reports suggesting that four out of five unions have already polled in favour of strikes (UCATT’s result is declared today) the pressure is on Council bosses to resolve the issue.

Opposition Labour leader Sir Albert Bore has once again called for the entire process to be frozen.

He said, “This just underlines the lack of transparency in the whole process. It’s all ‘peek-a-boo’ and under the covers.

“This whole process should be started again. You can’t put a sticking plaster on it and hope it will get better.”