Labour criticises pay and grading review

The Labour Group on Rochdale Council has criticised the model and the process used during the controversial pay and grading review for council employees. Employment Opposition Spokeswoman, Councillor Lil Murphy, backed by Labour Leader Councillor Colin Lambert and Deputy Leader Councillor Peter Williams, read a pre-prepared statement in the council chamber opposing the process.

“The Labour Group on RMBC continues to oppose the current model and process by which the Pay and Grading Review has lead to 25% of staff losing on basic pay and the lack of transparency and openness of the process leading to the sending out of letters to employees.

“We feel that unless agreement is reached with the trade unions on an appeal process, and there is an openness with elected members on the details of the outcome of pay modelling, then we call for the suspension of the process whilst an alternative model is developed.”

In response, Councillor Keith Swift, Townships and Corporate Management portfolio holder, hit out at Labour for “breaking ranks”, he said the model and process used had all party approval and Labour’s Lil Murphy, a trade unionist, had been a party to that approval. He rejected the allegation that there had been a lack of transparency and reiterated that discussion with the unions are still ongoing and council officers are working as fast as they can on an appeals process.

Councillor Swift added: “It is regrettable, but inevitable, that there will be losers as well as winners”. He also said the council had to be careful with any changes to the model as that could affect those whose pay is increasing and also cost the council "a lot of money in litigation".