|
|||||||||
Single Status
The Scottish Single Status agreement for most local government staff (and related sector staff on SNJC conditions) was accepted by a membership ballot at the end of March 1999. It now constitutes the Scottish conditions for all staff (eg Manual and APT&C) although some parts are still subject to specific negotiations. The full agreement is printed here and available for download on the UNISONScotland Local Government pages.
Local negotiations are under way on several aspects in the City of Edinburgh Branch. Details will be published as they emerge. See UPDATES on this page for current talks/agreements.
Index to Document
9-14. Pay and Grading
15-18. Working Time arrangements
19. Methods and Periods of Payment
20. Protection
21. Bonus
22. Continuous Service
23. Nursery Nurses and Residential Care Staff
24. Sickness Allowances
Annex: Current APT&C Spine and Manual Grade / wef 1.4.98
Part 2 - Key National Provisions
1. Equalities
2. Official Conduct
3. Training and Development
4. Health Safety and Welfare
5. Pay and Grading
6. Working Time Arrangements
7. Leave
8. Part Time Employees
9. Temporary Employees
10 Sickness provision
11. Maternity Scheme
12. Continuous service
13. Period of Notice to Terminate Employment
14. Grievance Procedures
15. Disciplinary Procedures
16 Trade Union Facilities
17. Distant Islands Allowance
18. Car Allowances
19. Reimbursement of Expenditure
Part 3 - Other National Provisions
1. Pay and Grading and Enhanced provisions
2. Working Arrangements
3. Training and Development
4. Payments to Employees in the event of Death or Permanent Disability arising from Assault
5. Meals and Accommodation Charges
6. Nursery Employees
Extract from Scheme of Conditions for Manual Workers relating to Enhancements
4.4 Overtime Defined
4.5 Weekend Work
4.6 Unsocial Hours
4.7 Split Duty
4.8 Work on a General or Public Holiday
4.9 Recall To Work/Standby
4.9.3 Standby
City of Edinburgh Single Status Updates
Report from Service Conditions Team
6 April 2000
WORKING WEEK:
- deal for manual workers and social work residential and nursery staff
- down to 38 hour week from 1 April
- further 45 minute cut for manual workers if national talks succeed
The working week for manual workers and social work residential and nursery staff will drop to 38 hours from 1 April, thanks to an interim deal won by UNISON.
But the branch is fighting on for a further 45 minutes cut for manual workers.
The interim deal will cut 15 minutes off the manual working week and one hour off the residential and social work nursery week.
This results from the Single Status agreement which reduces manual hours to 37 by 2002 at the latest, phased in by cutting one hour by April 2000 (the phasing was to allow for a higher pay deal last year).
For most Scottish workers this means going to 38 hours in 2000 but Edinburgh manual workers are already on 38.25 hours and the branch is clear that should have been cut by one hour to 37.25 by this April.
UNISON’s John Mulgrew, who as Staff Side Secretary negotiates for all Council unions, said;
“The council says it only has to go to 38 hours this year, but we believe the Single Status clause is absolutely clear about the one hour cut.
“While we do not accept the Council’s view, we have a firm commitment that it will implement a further 45 minute cut if this is the outcome of talks at Scottish level.
“However, given the length of time this may take,
we need to be pragmatic and get some benefit for workers now with the 15
minute cut”.
BONUS SCHEMES: The Single Status deal means there are a number of local negotiations under way, not least of which is consolidation of bonus schemes.
The branch AGM gave negotiators a clear mandate:
“This Branch recognises the vast majority of Manual and Craft Workers are dependent on bonus and incentive schemes if they are to achieve a reasonable living wage.
“We consider such schemes to be contrary to the principles of Single Status as they directly discriminate against non-APT & C workgroups who have to work additional hours or achieve targets to maintain a reasonable living wage.
“We recognise the issue of bonuses and incentive schemes will be explored as part of the Single Status discussions and instruct negotiators to oppose any attempt to put in place any new wages mechanism which would lead to reductions in contractual earnings for Manual and Craft workers”
Harmonising conditions
Other talks under way cover:
- Harmonising pay frequencies - all staff moving to monthly
- Harmonising enhancements and allowances between manual and APT&C
Again the AGM had its say, demanding moves on existing conditions before meaning full talks can take place on Single Status.
A motion from John Ross demanded,
“This Branch deplores the fact that four years after Reorganisation,
the Council has failed to progress discussions on harmonisation of many
ex District and ex Region conditions.
“Branch Officers are instructed to seek an urgent commitment from the Council to allocate sufficient resources to meet the needs of a harmonisation Work programme and the demands of a new Job Evaluation Scheme.
“The situation whereby colleagues work side by side on different conditions leads to confusion and conflict and must be resolved properly so that meaningful talks can take place on Single Status within the national deadline.”
Your views needed on conditions changes
The Council has raised issues it wants local deals on, and already negotiators are warning of problems with some.
These include:
- Travel & subsistence schemes
- Car Allowances (locally agreed mileage rates)
- Transfer of some fixed public holidays to annual leave (6 fixed and 6 added to annual leave).
Stewards and members should look out for details as these emerge. Make sure the union gets your views.