Last night was a meeting of Bury Council’s Joint Consultative Committee with its staff trades unions. This is an important meeting that brings together representatives of the various Trade Unions which Bury’s employees are members of, with elected Councillors.

There were a number of issues to report.
Equality and Diversity
The Council is doing well having achieved Level 3 of the National Equality Standard as an employer of staff. Work is being done to ensure that this high standard is maintained and perhaps improved on (you can go to level 4).
Alternative Service Models
It was reported to the meeting that moving forward on these issues, about changing the way the Council provides some of its “back office” functions, has been delayed to the new municipal year (after May).
Pay
It was reported that staff and employers were discussing at a national level on local government pay - at present there was a proposal of 2.45% rise for 2008-2009 (with £100 more a year for the lowest paid) - but I suspect there will be more discussions to be had!
Equal Pay
The most keenly discussed issue was the process around dealing with the Local Pay Grading Review - often referred to as the “equal pay” issue. Staff are understanably concerned about reviews like this, and the Trades Unions were very keen that we understood that they wished this uncertainty to end.

tim