Councils slow to implement single status, says GMB

PUBLIC SECTOR

Councils slow to implement single status, says GMB

Implementation of the 1997 harmonisation agreement in local government is still proving "painfully slow", according to new research from GMB general union.

Figures gathered by GMB suggest that fewer than one in five local authorities have implemented provisions in the single status agreement for eradicating pay inequality, six years on from its adoption. While half of authorities have at least got the process underway, an "alarming 27% of authorities have done nothing at all".

In those councils which have single status pay reviews underway or completed:

• more than a quarter of cases received a higher salary
• half of homecarers received an improvement in pay.
• a third of social workers were upgraded as a result of the review.

Single status in local government

The 1997 single-status agreement in local government was supposed to signal the end to distinctions between manual and white-collar employees. The need to deal with the pressing issue of equal pay for work of equal value was another important motivation for the agreement.

Key elements of the accord are as follows: Established a single national pay spine for both manual and non-manual employees (upon which council-level grading structures must be based) and basic provisions on issues such as working time and leave. Provided for a standard 37-hour week for all employees from April 1999. Employer and union representatives jointly developed a bespoke job evaluation scheme designed to help local managers and employee representatives position a huge range of blue and white-collar jobs within a common grading structure. Assigned the task of creating harmonised pay and grading structures to councils and unions at local level.

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Methodology: The survey of GMB local government shop stewards in England and Wales was conducted in October and November 2003. A total of 56 returns were received, of which a quarter are from metropolitan councils, a fifth are from districts and another fifth are from counties. Some 16% are from London boroughs and another 16% from unitary authorities. One response from a fire authority was also received.

Availability: For further information, contact Emily Thomas on tel: 0208 971 4226. To read the press release online visit www.gmb.org.uk/press_office/display.asp?id=377

To find out more about the GMB union jump to www.gmb.org.uk

Posted 19 February 2004