Dear Member

Unison Update - Moray Single Status

Single Status is being introduced in councils across the country.  Jobs are re-evaluated on the basis of the roles and responsibilities of council workers.  It will mean that if you work for Moray Council your pay and terms and conditions will change.

Just before Christmas, the Council showed us their proposals for the changes.   The UNISON representatives had major concerns about the proposals.  We wrote to the council in early January and then met with the council on 21^st of January.

The concerns we have included issues like

• the proposed incremental points

• the proposed overtime rates

• protection of some of the current terms and conditions.

The proposals from the council did not have any element of back pay for those who have been underpaid for the last few years.  We reminded the council that people who have been underpaid, may have Equal Pay claims.  If someone had a successful Equal pay case at an Employment Tribunal the Council may have to backdate their pay for 5 years.  The council must also address this in their proposals.

In the meeting on the 21^st of January, Moray Council indicated that there could be some movement in their original proposals.  We hope this is the case.  UNISON wants to come to an agreement with the council on Single Status, but will not recommend acceptance of a deal that is poor. 

The detailed discussions are confidential, but UNISON will keep you updated on the progress.  Once the deal has been finalised, we will make sure that our members in the Council have full details. UNISON members in the Council will then be balloted to confirm whether or not they will agree to accept it.

Your membership of UNISON is important.  If you were not a member, and there were no representatives negotiating on your behalf, the council may have tried to impose the original deal they offered.

Eric Foley / Irene Sinclair
Joint Branch Secretaries

Please read the article "SINGLE STATUS & YOUR PAY" by Emma Phillips, Regional Officer

Dear Member

Job Evaluation 

The council is currently at the stage of issuing job overviews to those members of staff who have not been involved with job evaluation questionnaires and/or interviews.  

It would be appropriate for you to talk to colleagues who are doing the same job and make sure you are happy with the final overview.  If not, we would strongly advise you to return the overview giving the reasons for your disagreement with any or all of the factors. Despite several attempts by the Trade Union side to get the Council to change their position on the matter, if you do not return the form, it will be assumed that you are in agreement with the job overview.

Moray UNISON, together with the other trade unions representing council employees, is currently in consultation with the council on an appeals procedure, which will be available for employees who are not happy with the outcome of the job evaluation process.  This will be available if you feel the process has been applied incorrectly.

Please do not hesitate to contact Moray UNISON, either through the branch office or a steward or branch officer, if you require advice or assistance with any part of the process.

Although it is hoped that the majority of members will be happy with the outcome, there may be some who will not and who will need help in some from the branch, please contact the branch office or your steward if you need help.

 If you know of colleagues who are not union members, please urge them to join UNISON now.  

 read the latest newsletter

for an update on the current position 

with Single Status and Job Evaluation

Single Status Roadshows

Following on from the successful roadshows at the beginning of the year, we had our second phase of roadshows throughout Moray during October and November.  If you missed the events and require further information please contact the Branch Office or your Workplace Representative.

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