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Single Status Index
A branch briefing from the Scottish Local Government Committee
WHAT's GOING ON!
Issue No. 2 September
2005
Single Status Agreement
The Scottish Local Government Conference was held
in Edinburgh City Chambers on the 9 September 2005, following a
Job Evaluation Seminar held in the morning.
The main issue of the day was the implementation
of the Single Status Agreement. In recent weeks the issue of back
pay and the implementation of the Single Status Agreement has taken
centre stage. The catalyst for this has been the protest action
taken by members in Moray and Aberdeen City and the campaign being
run by Action 4 Equality. Delegate after delegate at the Conference
expressed their concerns and experiences in dealing with Councils
regarding the implementation of Single Status.
There was a clear message to the organisation for
the need for further information and support to Branches and the
need to defend member’s "terms and conditions" and to
seek improved protection arrangements which are greater than the
3 years contained in the Agreement. In addition there is recognition
from the members to address the question of Equal Pay. The legal
department at headquarters have been asked to investigate what criteria
exists for a trade dispute for the Scottish Executive regarding
funding arrangements for Councils.
With regard to the draft the Scottish Joint Council
circular, the negotiators were left with the clear message that
unless the protection arrangements are improved, then UNISON will
not be party to the advice or guidance.
A commitment was given to hold a Recall Seminar/Conference
if required.
Pensions
Following the UK Government’s decision to withdraw
its proposed amended regulations to the Local Government Pension
Scheme in England and Wales and to re-engage with the trade unions
in new discussions, including commitments given under the Warwick
Agreement, the Scottish Joint Council following a joint seminar
held on 29 June 2005 in Glasgow City Chambers, agreed a 13 point
statement that has now been issued as an SJC circular. Representatives
from the TGWU, GMB and UNISON met with representatives of the Scottish
Public Pensions Agency on 10 August 2005. The outcome of the meeting
was that the SPPA would be willing to work with the Scottish Joint
Council to develop a new Scottish Scheme within the parameters of
the Treasury and ministerial responsibility within Scotland. This
initiative has been welcomed by the Conference and dates have been
proposed for the remainder of the year for further discussions with
SPPA.
Pay 2006
The Scottish Local Government Conference at its
meeting on 9 September 2005 approved consultation arrangements on
the content, size, shape and length of a settlement for the next
pay round, due on 1 April 2006. A timetable of key dates is set
out below ~
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29 August 2005
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Steering Group to agree key information
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September / October 2005
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Consultation and agreement by the unions
on size shape and content of claim to be presented.
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27/28 October 2005
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Annual meeting of the Scottish Joint Council.
- Trade Unions lodge claim
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December 2005.
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Employers consultation period.
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January/February/March 2006
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Employers make an offer & Negotiations
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March 2006
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Target for reaching a Settlement
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1 April 2006
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Settlement Date
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The recently formed Steering Group of the Scottish
Joint Council has agreed to use economic and other relevant information
for this year’s pay negotiations and to form a Sub Group to look
at a longer term pay policy and strategy for Scottish local government.
For further information please contact: Stephen Palmer, Organising
Assistant, Douglas House, 60 Belford Road, Edinburgh EH4 3UQ or
Tel: 0131 226 0072
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