Council strikes this year?

[Maria]

But for the time being and in relation to this years pay, alls well now.

You may have counted the chickens too soon Michael.

Union rejects council pay offer

[BeachBum]

So it would seem.

Still its good to get in the habit of striking as no doubt there will be more next year in relation to the modernising pay scheme.

[Grunk]

Do all council workers get the same pay rise?

[BeachBum]

Do all council workers get the same pay rise?

In regards to modernising pay or rise in regards to the present ballot?

[Grunk]

Do all council workers get the same pay rise?

In regards to modernising pay or rise in regards to the present ballot?

The present ballot.

I guess the modernising pay thingy will be a percentage mark up or down, corresponding to the perceived value of the councils work compared to other industries?

I'm just asking to see if all council workers will receive the same pay rise regardless of their individual performance?

[BeachBum]

I guess the modernising pay thingy will be a percentage mark up or down, corresponding to the perceived value of the councils work compared to other industries?

You make it sound so simple.

[wangi]

It's genuinely hard to understand for those in the private sector / with performance related wage rises.

[BeachBum]

There is still a long way to go with the single status/modernising pay negotiations. They have been ongoing for months.

Its a bit gut wrenching to know that your regular bonus will be lost. For me its about £240 a month worse off.

[Grunk]

So everyone who works for the council gets the same pay rise no matter what?

[BeachBum]

So everyone who works for the council gets the same pay rise no matter what?

Nope.

[Grunk]

So what is this 3% and 2.5% for?

I don't understand. It was probably described in the news when this first kicked off, but now all the news articles just go on about the numbers without indication of what they mean.

[BeachBum]

So what is this 3% and 2.5% for?

I don't understand. It was probably described in the news when this first kicked off, but now all the news articles just go on about the numbers without indication of what they mean.

The 3% is the rise given for this year backdated to 1st April, well, what would have been given if the joint trade union members had accepted the deal. and the 2.5% is what would have been given next year had it been voted for.

[Grunk]

I'm sure you are doing this on purpose...

So who, out of all the council workers, will get these rises, and who will not?

[BeachBum]

So who, out of all the council workers, will get these rises, and who will not?

Well, I would just like to make a small point.

I will. I was looking forward to it being accepted by the other unions like it was with Unison. Since it will be back dated to April my mouth was watering at the though of the backdated pay. An extra couple of hundred is always welcomed..lol

Its a bit nerving waiting for the next news about the rise. A lot of council workers that I speak just want the deal accepted so they can get on with things. Not many people that I work with can afford to go on strike again as it affects not only our basic pay but our bonuses too.

[Epykat]

A lot of council workers that I speak just want the deal accepted so they can get on with things. Not many people that I work with can afford to go on strike again as it affects not only our basic pay but our bonuses too.

I don't. I'd quite happily go on strike again. My immediate colleagues and I lost approximately thirty one pounds for each day we were off (lets you know how badly we're paid!). I'd love my back pay to be in the hundreds. As the old saying goes: 3% of nothing is nothing.

[Grunk]

Perhaps they should give the good workers a higher pay rise, and the layabouts less.
I think that would improve the council's performance. They are after all public servants, why should we pay for folk to laze around all day, barely touching their their workload.
It would probably encourage efficiency in the response of various council departments/individuals to inquiries too.

[BeachBum]

Perhaps they should give the good workers a higher pay rise, and the layabouts less.
I think that would improve the council's performance. They are after all public servants, why should we pay for folk to laze around all day, barely touching their their workload.
It would probably encourage efficiency in the response of various council departments/individuals to inquiries too.

Im not sure that it would work in practice! And anyways, a number of council employees get performance related pay perks, which ofcourse will be done away with as part of the modernings pay scheme!

Im not sure the unions would support the move to a wholly performance related pay. Any hint of what you are suggesting Grunk would see negotiations come to a complete standstill and immediate strike action.

There are a number of factors that can have knock on effects when it comes to wholly performance related pay. For example a joiner who attends a property to fit a new kitchen, he turns up but the kitchen hasnt been delievered. Therefore he fails to complete his task for the day. So does he get no pay even though its not his fault?

The Council already has in place a number of measures to encourage efficiency as detailed in the departmental action plans!

Who gets to decide who has worked the hardest? Any system that you came up with be found to have flaws. For example, you have a falling out with your team leader about somethng, and the next week your pay is less. Who is to say that his decision wasnt influenced by the falling out?

[wangi]

It largely works in the private sector. And performance related pay is very different from piece work that your joiner example alludes to.

There are many types of models to determine performance; with yearly review with your direct management being the most common I'd assume. You can turn that on it's head with 360 degree feedback...

[Grunk]

Im not sure that it would work in practice! And anyways, a number of council employees get performance related pay perks, which ofcourse will be done away with as part of the modernings pay scheme!

Seems like this is cutting the incentive to excel, whilst pandering to the vocal mediocrity.

Im not sure the unions would support the move to a wholly performance related pay. Any hint of what you are suggesting Grunk would see negotiations come to a complete standstill and immediate strike action.

Private companies also have staff that are members of unions.

There are a number of factors that can have knock on effects when it comes to wholly performance related pay. For example a joiner who attends a property to fit a new kitchen, he turns up but the kitchen hasnt been delievered. Therefore he fails to complete his task for the day. So does he get no pay even though its not his fault?

That is exactly what happens. So in this case the joiner either ensures the delivery of the materials or undertakes a different job until they are available, maximising his productivity and ensuring he has a constant income.

The Council already has in place a number of measures to encourage efficiency as detailed in the departmental action plans!

sometimes such plans are the main impediment to their own goals.

Who gets to decide who has worked the hardest? Any system that you came up with be found to have flaws. For example, you have a falling out with your team leader about something, and the next week your pay is less. Who is to say that his decision wasn't influenced by the falling out?

I'm not suggesting your pay is variable from week to week, or even that it goes down.

At the end of each year, you would typically get a pay/performance review. You would fill out your end of year review form with a brief detailing of your achievements over the year, and nominate a couple of your colleagues to provide additional information about your performance and progress. Your immediate boss would also provide information as well as anyone that comes under your jurisdiction (this in turn means you get to comment on your boss).

This information is then collated and the various project managers will have a meeting to assign each employee some kind of ranking which corresponds to a certain level of pay rise.

Going back to commenting on your boss's/team Leader's performance. His job is to manage you guys, so your satisfaction and performance is a measure of his performance. If they get a roasting from all members of their team, then this is an indication that there is something wrong.

It's not a particularly tricky concept and it encourages people to shine. I imagine if I was told I'd be getting the same pay rise- bonus as Lazy McLayabout, no matter what I do, I'd be less inclined to work hard.

[BeachBum]

Keeping on the subject on this thread.

A few of the union stewards were floating about today. No news on whats happening now regarding this rise.

[BeachBum]

Not just Council workers planning walkouts.

Tram workers in walkout threat. BBC News website. 21/11/08.

[BeachBum]

Seems we (Council staff) are getting our pay rise shortly.

It was accepted by Unison members but not by the other unions, however turns out COSLA have told Councils to crack on with the annual rise.

Good news for those who qualify.

[BeachBum]

CEC has now let all staff know about the backdated pay arrangments.

• weekly paid staff - Thursday 11 December 2008
• 4 weekly paid staff - Thursday 18 December 20 08
• fortnightly paid staff - Thursday 18 December 2008
• tertiary (evening class staff ) - Thursday 18 December 2008
• monthly paid staff - Friday 19 December 2008

A nice bonus for some before christmas.

[Maria]

Negotiations start this week for the City of Edinburgh Councils modernising pay programme.

Expect a couple of strikes over the summer as thats the way its looking for us, (although since ive worked with the Council there has been two strikes, both of which ive chosen to work so it dont really affect me)

Things arnt looking good for my fellow workers in the Housing and Regeneration section of the Services for Communities Department. The Council are trying to cut our working week by an hour, this doesnt sound like much, but add it up over the year and its a tidy sum of cash.

BBC news website link

Also for my particular section of the Council its bad news aswell that public holidays will form part of a regular working week with the days added to our annual leave entitlement instead. I normally work all the public holidays including the two at Christmas and the two at New Year. Normally that qualifies me for triple time for working each day. But if the new plan goes through, i will miss out on about ten days a year at triple time. Not good.

More to follow on the other points soon........

Heard there was a briefing during Jan on the progress being made in modernising pay. Been credit crunched yet Michael or are you still raking in the overtime?

[BeachBum]

Heard there was a briefing during Jan on the progress being made in modernising pay. Been credit crunched yet Michael or are you still raking in the overtime?

The modernising pay scheme is of no real concern to me at this time. There may have been a briefing, I wouldnt really have paid much attention if there had been. Im at home just now so will log into the intranet and see if there has been one released.

I have not been credit crunched. Im perfectly happy with my financial situation.

I am still carrying out overtime.

[BeachBum]

Heard there was a briefing during Jan on the progress being made in modernising pay. Been credit crunched yet Michael or are you still raking in the overtime?

There was indeed a briefing issued on 19/1/09.

[Maria]

Im at home just now so will log into the intranet and see if there has been one released.

How can you access the Orb from home?

I am still carrying out overtime.

Still single then? According to something i heard on the Radio, today is the most popular day of the year for folk to go on a blind date . You could always try http://edinburgh.gumtree.com/edinburgh/ ... 237_1.html

[BeachBum]

Im at home just now so will log into the intranet and see if there has been one released.

How can you access the Orb from home?

I am still carrying out overtime.

Still single then? According to something i heard on the Radio, today is the most popular day of the year for folk to go on a blind date . You could always try http://edinburgh.gumtree.com/edinburgh/ ... 237_1.html

remote.edinburgh.gov.uk That is available to members of staff who have been approved by their line managers as requiring access to the Orb etc from outwith Council offices. But all Council employees can check mail by logging into mail.edinburgh.gov.uk (This never used to apply to children & families dept but I think it does now).

[BeachBum]

remote.edinburgh.gov.uk

I seem to have problems accessing that with IE so tend to use firefox when logging in to it.

[BeachBum]

Heard there was a briefing during Jan on the progress being made in modernising pay. Been credit crunched yet Michael or are you still raking in the overtime?

There was indeed a briefing issued on 19/1/09.

Another briefing was released this week for all Council staff.

[BeachBum]

A spanner might have been thrown into the works for the modernising pay scheme.

Glasgow City Council have announced that from April their working minimum wage for staff will be £7.

Will CEC come under pressure to follow suite?

[Epykat]

Will CEC come under pressure to follow suite?

Well, on the crap they pay me they'd have to follow it with a suite coz I can't afford to buy one

[BeachBum]

Will CEC come under pressure to follow suite?

Well, on the crap they pay me they'd have to follow it with a suite coz I can't afford to buy one

Thankfully my pay at CEC is reasonable. Although a pay rise would be nice as if all aspects of the modernising pay scheme go ahead my working week will be cut by one hour. So that needs to be covered. Thankfully there should be pay protection for three years.

[Epykat]

And apparently my working week will go up by something ridiculous like 5 minutes

[Porty]

Sweet.