Cheshire East Council Cheshire East Council Revised Package of Harmonisation Revised Package of Harmonisation

Terms & ConditionsTerms & Conditions

Unison Branch CommitteeUnison Branch CommitteeTuesday 19Tuesday 19thth July 2011 July 2011

Consultation TimetableConsultation Timetable Consultation Meetings have taken place on a confidential basis between the Consultation Meetings have taken place on a confidential basis between the

Cheshire East Council and the Joint Trade UnionsCheshire East Council and the Joint Trade Unions

Cheshire East Council wider consultation with employees took place from Cheshire East Council wider consultation with employees took place from 2424thth February 2011 to 27 February 2011 to 27thth May 2011 (three months) May 2011 (three months)

Agreement is currently being sort between Cheshire East Council and the Agreement is currently being sort between Cheshire East Council and the Joint Trade Unions on the proposals. Joint Trade Unions on the proposals.

A number of options existA number of options exist

The Joint Unions would ballot all Union Members on the The Joint Unions would ballot all Union Members on the revised proposals, and if approved would accept the proposal revised proposals, and if approved would accept the proposal on behalf of all employees, by means of a collective agreement.on behalf of all employees, by means of a collective agreement.

Cheshire East Council could serve notice and impose the Cheshire East Council could serve notice and impose the original proposals, or indeed new proposals such as a pay cut, original proposals, or indeed new proposals such as a pay cut, if agreement is not reached with the Trade Unionsif agreement is not reached with the Trade Unions

Salary ProtectionSalary Protection Original Pay Protection ProposalOriginal Pay Protection Proposal

Protection of Base Pay on a sliding 25% scale for one yearProtection of Base Pay on a sliding 25% scale for one year

Revised Pay Protection ProposalRevised Pay Protection Proposal

2 Years at Full Contractual Pay including any additional contracted 2 Years at Full Contractual Pay including any additional contracted hours included in contract of employment at time hours included in contract of employment at time of implementation of implementation

Employees already in receipt of pay protection in relation to single status / Local Employees already in receipt of pay protection in relation to single status / Local Government Review restructures (ie existing pay protection periods will be honoured). Government Review restructures (ie existing pay protection periods will be honoured).

All Existing Legacy Council pay protection policies will be replaced by the new Pay All Existing Legacy Council pay protection policies will be replaced by the new Pay Protection Policy from Implementation dateProtection Policy from Implementation date

Employees retaining legacy terms and condition will be transfer to their substantive job Employees retaining legacy terms and condition will be transfer to their substantive job evaluated grade and will receive two year protection on their legacy gradeevaluated grade and will receive two year protection on their legacy grade

New pay protection arrangements will apply in respect of the outcome of the harmonisation New pay protection arrangements will apply in respect of the outcome of the harmonisation review and any restructure / reduction in base pay going forwardreview and any restructure / reduction in base pay going forward

Overtime PaymentsOvertime Payments Original Overtime ProposalOriginal Overtime Proposal

All Employees will receive Basic Overtime Flat Rate based on work All Employees will receive Basic Overtime Flat Rate based on work undertaken beyond the 37 hour working weekundertaken beyond the 37 hour working week

Revised Overtime ProposalRevised Overtime Proposal

All Employees will receive Overtime paid at Time and a Half based on All Employees will receive Overtime paid at Time and a Half based on work undertaken beyond the 37 hour working weekwork undertaken beyond the 37 hour working week

Overtime worked within 37 hours will be paid at plain timeOvertime worked within 37 hours will be paid at plain time

When working overtime employees will receive one payment, that When working overtime employees will receive one payment, that being the highest pay element, (which ever is the higher)being the highest pay element, (which ever is the higher)

Contracted overtime, where it is either, specifically written in a contract Contracted overtime, where it is either, specifically written in a contract of employment or as an implied term prior to implementation date, will of employment or as an implied term prior to implementation date, will be protected in the same way as basic pay be protected in the same way as basic pay

Bonus PaymentsBonus Payments

Original Bonus ProposalOriginal Bonus Proposal

Removal of All fixed Lump Sum Bonus paymentsRemoval of All fixed Lump Sum Bonus payments Removal of all additional duty bonuses Removal of all additional duty bonuses

Revised Bonus ProposalRevised Bonus Proposal

Removal of All Bonus paymentsRemoval of All Bonus payments

Negotiations are ongoing regarding the level of mitigation of Negotiations are ongoing regarding the level of mitigation of substantial loss of income. (Thursday 14substantial loss of income. (Thursday 14thth July 2011) July 2011)

Weekend WorkingWeekend Working

Original Weekend Working ProposalOriginal Weekend Working Proposal All Weekend working to be paid at Flat Rate All Weekend working to be paid at Flat Rate All Saturday & Sunday working to be incorporated into contract of All Saturday & Sunday working to be incorporated into contract of

employmentemployment

Revised Weekend Working ProposalRevised Weekend Working Proposal

All Weekend working to be paid at Time and a Half, similarly to All Weekend working to be paid at Time and a Half, similarly to overtime rate of payovertime rate of pay

Night and Evening WorkNight and Evening Work

Original Night & Evening Work ProposalOriginal Night & Evening Work Proposal

ALL Night & Evening Working at TIME + 10%ALL Night & Evening Working at TIME + 10%

Revised Night Working ProposalRevised Night Working Proposal

Enhancement for night working at Time and a ThirdEnhancement for night working at Time and a Third

This will apply where 3 hours or more are worked between 10pm and 6amThis will apply where 3 hours or more are worked between 10pm and 6am

There will be no additional payment for evening work between 7pm and There will be no additional payment for evening work between 7pm and 10pm, if included in normal working weekly rota.10pm, if included in normal working weekly rota.

Bank Holiday PayBank Holiday PayOriginal Bank Holiday ProposalOriginal Bank Holiday Proposal

Bank Holiday working to be paid at plain time, with no time off in lieu for Bank Holiday working to be paid at plain time, with no time off in lieu for working the bank holidayworking the bank holiday

Christmas Day and Boxing Day Bank Holidays only for working above Christmas Day and Boxing Day Bank Holidays only for working above contracted hours will receive Double Time with no additional time off in lieucontracted hours will receive Double Time with no additional time off in lieu

Revised Bank Holiday ProposalRevised Bank Holiday Proposal

Christmas Day and Boxing Day Bank Holidays will be paid at Double TimeChristmas Day and Boxing Day Bank Holidays will be paid at Double Time

All Remaining Bank Holidays will be paid at Time and a HalfAll Remaining Bank Holidays will be paid at Time and a Half

Lieu Day where Bank Holiday worked as part of normal working weekLieu Day where Bank Holiday worked as part of normal working week

Shift AllowancesShift Allowances Original Shift ProposalOriginal Shift Proposal

Removal of ALLRemoval of ALL Shift Allowances paymentsShift Allowances payments Eliminate ALLEliminate ALL Split shift paymentsSplit shift payments Requirement on Management to review all working practices and shift Requirement on Management to review all working practices and shift

management to ensure consistent approach to rota patternsmanagement to ensure consistent approach to rota patterns

Revised Shift ProposalRevised Shift Proposal

Employees currently receiving shift pay will now receive Time and a half for Employees currently receiving shift pay will now receive Time and a half for Overtime, Night and Weekend WorkingOvertime, Night and Weekend Working

Negotiations are ongoing regarding the level of mitigation of substantial Negotiations are ongoing regarding the level of mitigation of substantial loss of income. (Thursday 14loss of income. (Thursday 14thth July 2011) July 2011)

Car Mileage AllowancesCar Mileage Allowances

Original Car Mileage ProposalOriginal Car Mileage Proposal

Removal of the NJC Car Mileage Agreement for all Cheshire East employees Removal of the NJC Car Mileage Agreement for all Cheshire East employees

Introduction of flat mileage rate of 40p per mile up to 10,000 miles and 25p per mile above Introduction of flat mileage rate of 40p per mile up to 10,000 miles and 25p per mile above 10,000 miles.10,000 miles.

Revised Car Mileage ProposalRevised Car Mileage Proposal

All Car Mileage to be paid in line with National Joint Council Agreement All Car Mileage to be paid in line with National Joint Council Agreement

A new Essential Users Entitlement Criteria will be introduced on Implementation, A new Essential Users Entitlement Criteria will be introduced on Implementation, (It is important to note that this new criteria will be much more stringent than currently (It is important to note that this new criteria will be much more stringent than currently applied, in order to reduce the number of essential users currently being paid.) applied, in order to reduce the number of essential users currently being paid.)

Essential Lump Sum Rate applied up to NJC Level 2 – £ 963 Essential Lump Sum Rate applied up to NJC Level 2 – £ 963 Essential Mileage Rate applied up to NJC Level 2 – 40.9p per mileEssential Mileage Rate applied up to NJC Level 2 – 40.9p per mile

Casual Car Mileage Rate applied up to NJC Level 2 – 52.2p per mileCasual Car Mileage Rate applied up to NJC Level 2 – 52.2p per mile

Details of the current mileage agreement Details of the current mileage agreement http://www.lge.gov.uk/lge/dio/6617302http://www.lge.gov.uk/lge/dio/6617302

Car LeasingCar Leasing Original Car Leasing ProposalsOriginal Car Leasing Proposals

Removal of all existing car lease schemes.Removal of all existing car lease schemes. Introduction of salary sacrifice green car lease scheme.Introduction of salary sacrifice green car lease scheme. All employees will be eligible to join the new schemeAll employees will be eligible to join the new scheme Car Parking – consider charging for staff parking at main Council buildingsCar Parking – consider charging for staff parking at main Council buildings

Revised Car Leasing ProposalsRevised Car Leasing Proposals

Removal of all existing car lease schemes.Removal of all existing car lease schemes. Allow existing car leases to run to termination date.Allow existing car leases to run to termination date. Review the application of Essential User Car User criteria at termination dateReview the application of Essential User Car User criteria at termination date Introduction of salary sacrifice green car lease scheme.Introduction of salary sacrifice green car lease scheme.

FlexitimeFlexitime

Original Flexi Time ProposalOriginal Flexi Time Proposal Reduction of number of days flexi that can be taken per four week period Reduction of number of days flexi that can be taken per four week period

from two to one.from two to one. Removal of access to flexi leave for employees at Grade 13 plus (retaining Removal of access to flexi leave for employees at Grade 13 plus (retaining

ability for flexible start/finish times).ability for flexible start/finish times).

Revised Flexi Time ProposalRevised Flexi Time Proposal Employees will retain the ability to take up to two credit days per four week Employees will retain the ability to take up to two credit days per four week

period. (Subject to a maximum of 18 days in one year)period. (Subject to a maximum of 18 days in one year) Employees Grade 13 and above will retain the ability to take flexible leave, Employees Grade 13 and above will retain the ability to take flexible leave,

within the requirements of the service.within the requirements of the service.

Professional FeesProfessional Fees

Original Professional Fees Proposal.Original Professional Fees Proposal. No reimbursement where the professional membership is not an essential No reimbursement where the professional membership is not an essential

requirement for the post or where the fee is less than £250 requirement for the post or where the fee is less than £250 Where it is a professional requirement and the fee is above £250, the Where it is a professional requirement and the fee is above £250, the

Council will pay that part over and above £250Council will pay that part over and above £250 Existing legacy policies will cease upon implementationExisting legacy policies will cease upon implementation

Revised Professional Fees Proposal.Revised Professional Fees Proposal. Reimbursement of professional / practice fees, where membership is an Reimbursement of professional / practice fees, where membership is an

statutory requirement of the post statutory requirement of the post Where it is a statutory requirement and the fee is above £50, the individual Where it is a statutory requirement and the fee is above £50, the individual

will pay the first £50 contribution, and the Council will pay the remaining will pay the first £50 contribution, and the Council will pay the remaining amountamount

Existing legacy policies will cease upon implementationExisting legacy policies will cease upon implementation

Long Service Increments & AwardsLong Service Increments & Awards

Original Long Service Proposal.Original Long Service Proposal. Removal of all long service awards and incrementsRemoval of all long service awards and increments Existing legacy policies will cease upon implementationExisting legacy policies will cease upon implementation

Revised Long Service Proposal.Revised Long Service Proposal. Removal of all long service increments and retirement awardsRemoval of all long service increments and retirement awards Long Service Increments to be treated as base pay for the purposes of pay Long Service Increments to be treated as base pay for the purposes of pay

assimilationassimilation Any employee currently eligible to receive a lump sum entitlement aged Any employee currently eligible to receive a lump sum entitlement aged

over 55 on the date of implementation, will receive it on retirementover 55 on the date of implementation, will receive it on retirement The lump sum payment is to be frozen at the current cash value, with no The lump sum payment is to be frozen at the current cash value, with no

further inflation rises. further inflation rises. Introduction of a new long service (non pensionable) award to be paid to all Introduction of a new long service (non pensionable) award to be paid to all

employees on retirement (£200 for 20+ years service, and £300 for 30+ employees on retirement (£200 for 20+ years service, and £300 for 30+ years service) from implementation date years service) from implementation date (The value of this new award is (The value of this new award is still subject to further discussion)still subject to further discussion)

General AllowancesGeneral Allowances

Standby/Call OutStandby/Call Out Retain payment at £26.50 per 12 hour session at weekends, and Retain payment at £26.50 per 12 hour session at weekends, and

overnight mid week.overnight mid week. Review criteria for paymentReview criteria for payment Call Out to be based on an initial payment of 2 hours overtimeCall Out to be based on an initial payment of 2 hours overtime

Sleep inSleep in Retain payment at £32.94. Retain payment at £32.94. Review criteria for paymentReview criteria for payment

First Aid Allowance.First Aid Allowance. Retain payment and harmonise to £120 per annumRetain payment and harmonise to £120 per annum Review criteria for paymentReview criteria for payment

General AllowancesGeneral Allowances

Retain Payment and review working practices:Retain Payment and review working practices:

Emergency Duty TeamEmergency Duty Team Assessment related tasksAssessment related tasks Pace/EscortPace/Escort Duty Manager at Tatton ParkDuty Manager at Tatton Park

The following allowances to be removedThe following allowances to be removed

Busy Bar;Busy Bar; Deliveries;Deliveries; Telephone & Broadband (excluding designated home workers and Telephone & Broadband (excluding designated home workers and

where it is an essential requirement of the post to have access to where it is an essential requirement of the post to have access to landline and internet);landline and internet);

Turnaround;Turnaround; Visits;Visits; Laundry;Laundry;

Pay Related PoliciesPay Related Policies

Working Week Working Week Retain full time working week at 37 hours per week. Retain full time working week at 37 hours per week.

Annual leaveAnnual leave 25 days rising to 30 days after 5 years25 days rising to 30 days after 5 years 8 bank holidays / statutory days8 bank holidays / statutory days Purchase of Annual LeavePurchase of Annual Leave

Expenses. Expenses. Reasonable reimbursement of expenses as per the current Reasonable reimbursement of expenses as per the current

Cheshire East Council policyCheshire East Council policy Existing legacy policies will cease upon implementationExisting legacy policies will cease upon implementation

Short Term Budget MeasuresShort Term Budget Measures You may be aware, that the original package of harmonisation proposals You may be aware, that the original package of harmonisation proposals

presented by Cheshire East Council in March 2011, equated to cuts worth in the presented by Cheshire East Council in March 2011, equated to cuts worth in the region of £ 8.7 million, as presented to Branch Committee in January 2011.region of £ 8.7 million, as presented to Branch Committee in January 2011.

Cheshire East Council requires to make around £4 million worth of cuts to Cheshire East Council requires to make around £4 million worth of cuts to terms and conditions over the next two year. The revised harmonisation terms and conditions over the next two year. The revised harmonisation package equate to £1.5 million worth of cuts, therefore the Council have to package equate to £1.5 million worth of cuts, therefore the Council have to make additional short term budget measures to balance the budget over next make additional short term budget measures to balance the budget over next two years .two years .

Cheshire East Council has chosen the option of an Incremental Pay Freeze, Cheshire East Council has chosen the option of an Incremental Pay Freeze, rather than opt for either additional unpaid holiday (as in Blackpool) or indeed rather than opt for either additional unpaid holiday (as in Blackpool) or indeed introduce an across the board pay cut (as in Shropshire), this option would introduce an across the board pay cut (as in Shropshire), this option would save around £2.5 million over a two year period.save around £2.5 million over a two year period.

An incremental freeze, means retaining your level of actual pay, not a cut in An incremental freeze, means retaining your level of actual pay, not a cut in your current pay levels, the other measures rejected by the Trade Unions would your current pay levels, the other measures rejected by the Trade Unions would have represented a cut in current pay. have represented a cut in current pay.

This Incremental Pay Freeze is outside of the harmonisation process and This Incremental Pay Freeze is outside of the harmonisation process and therefore Unison Members will not be balloted on this, but it does form part of therefore Unison Members will not be balloted on this, but it does form part of the wider budget measures agreed by Cabinet and Staffing Committee.the wider budget measures agreed by Cabinet and Staffing Committee.

Closing CommentClosing Comment

The consultation on Harmonisation is being presented to all recognised Trade The consultation on Harmonisation is being presented to all recognised Trade Unions by Cheshire East Council, however these proposals or others can be Unions by Cheshire East Council, however these proposals or others can be imposed by the employer, if agreement is not reached, subject to formal noticeimposed by the employer, if agreement is not reached, subject to formal notice

Before agreeing any changes in Terms & Conditions, Unison will undertake a Before agreeing any changes in Terms & Conditions, Unison will undertake a consultative ballot of all it’s Members effected by the detailed package of consultative ballot of all it’s Members effected by the detailed package of proposals and any actions would be based on the outcome of the ballot result proposals and any actions would be based on the outcome of the ballot result

It is therefore essential that all UNISON Membership Records are correct and up It is therefore essential that all UNISON Membership Records are correct and up to date, so please make sure.to date, so please make sure.

Unison believes that this revised proposal, represents the best package that Unison believes that this revised proposal, represents the best package that can be achieved through lengthy and detailed negotiations with the employer can be achieved through lengthy and detailed negotiations with the employer and therefore UNISON supports acceptance of this proposal by Members.and therefore UNISON supports acceptance of this proposal by Members.

Closing CommentClosing CommentWhat are Cheshire East Council’s options should Unison Members What are Cheshire East Council’s options should Unison Members REJECTREJECT the the revised harmonisation proposals and the employer decide to impose an revised harmonisation proposals and the employer decide to impose an “unknown” revised package of measures “unknown” revised package of measures

The Council will consider various options including Imposing the Incremental Freeze to The Council will consider various options including Imposing the Incremental Freeze to achieve £ 2.5 million of the required £ 4 million budget saving. The Council would then achieve £ 2.5 million of the required £ 4 million budget saving. The Council would then look to impose a number of alternative options to achieve the additional £ 1.5 million look to impose a number of alternative options to achieve the additional £ 1.5 million required, these have been mentioned previouslyrequired, these have been mentioned previously

Percentage Based Pay Cut (Shropshire)Percentage Based Pay Cut (Shropshire) Additional Unpaid Annual Holidays (Blackpool) Additional Unpaid Annual Holidays (Blackpool) Reduced Paid Working Week ie Pay based on 35 hours (35/37) (Southampton)Reduced Paid Working Week ie Pay based on 35 hours (35/37) (Southampton)

Any combination of the above proposals could be imposed by Cheshire East Council, Any combination of the above proposals could be imposed by Cheshire East Council, alongside many other options, this is not something that Unison Members would have any alongside many other options, this is not something that Unison Members would have any control over.control over.

The Council’s attempt to cut budgets and reduce our pay would mean sacking all The Council’s attempt to cut budgets and reduce our pay would mean sacking all employees and rehiring them on worse contracts, if agreement is not reached.employees and rehiring them on worse contracts, if agreement is not reached.

Unison would then be in dispute with Cheshire East Council, and subject to further Unison would then be in dispute with Cheshire East Council, and subject to further discussions with the employer and possibly ACAS, the UNISON Branch would have to discussions with the employer and possibly ACAS, the UNISON Branch would have to consider Industrial Action as an optionconsider Industrial Action as an option