More workers face salary cuts in RBH pay review

RBH

More staff are facing pay cuts as Rochdale Boroughwide Housing announces details of their pay and grading review.

Figures claim that 85% of workers will get a pay rise or stay the same, while 15% will have their salaries slashed.

But a worker has revealed to Rochdale Online that some workers will see a dubious change in working conditions, meaning their “pay rise” could actually leave them with less money than they started out with.

The member of staff said: “I am not prepared to talk about it, but what I will say is that the 85% pay rise is a load of rubbish.

“Most people who are down as getting a pay rise will actually end up with less money, because their hours and bonuses are set to decrease. So it’s all a big rip off and it’s very misleading.”

A spokeswoman from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has denied that the pay and grading review is part of a cost cutting exercise. She said: “RBH’s new package of terms and conditions includes proposals to harmonise the standard working week for all RBH staff to 36 hours and 15 minutes”.

“Given the scale of the proposals RBH will be consulting with staff and the trades unions for a three-month period before it finalises and then implements a new pay structure and terms and conditions package.

“A finalised package will be implemented in late summer 2009.”

RBH’s Chair, Ian Agnew said “Throughout the review RBH senior management has worked very closely with the main trades unions Unison and Unite and will continue to do so throughout the consultation period.

“RBH is very grateful for the way in which both unions have positively engaged with the organisation during the review. RBH has listened to their concerns and their views have helped shape the package of proposals particularly on the importance of maximising the length of the period of salary protection for those staff that could experience a drop in pay”.