Council admits sending 'premature' letters about pay cuts

Council workers who are awaiting news on receiving a chop to their salary have now fallen victim to a huge administration error.

Some 6000 civil servants are facing changes to their salaries because Rochdale Borough Council has carried out a “job evaluation” subsequent to the Equal Pay Act 1997.

A letter informing each employee of their individual changes was due to be sent out tomorrow (Thursday 11 December), but due to an irreversible error, some of the letters were sent out prematurely, meaning some workers will have a shocking letter on their doorsteps today.

A quarter of employees, 1500 people, are facing a pay slash of up to £5000, Rochdale Online has been told.

More controversially, the review covers all workers, except the “most senior officers”. 

Unison has vowed to take the necessary action to assert members legal rights and says it is "willing and ready to assert members legal rights".

Members of the Rochdale branch of Unison, the public service union, protested outside a Council Cabinet meeting last month.

A spokesman from Rochdale Council said: “The letters that were sent out today are very much in the minority.

“It is our priority to make sure everyone receives accurate information and this is what we will do.

“We will look into this."

Unison say Council Management is "simply planning to constrict the consultation timetable in the same way they have undermined the negotiating process."