Job review prompts staff strike threat

Some of Aberdeen Council’s most experienced social workers have
been offered reduced employment terms and conditions as part of a
council-wide job review.

Staff will be balloted on industrial action if negotiations between
union Unison and council bosses fail.

Last week, the council issued its 9,500 employees with letters
outlining their pay under the single-status agreement (SSA) – which
aims to address pay inequalities in councils.

Gerry McCabe, Unison services officer at Aberdeen, said social
workers at the bottom of the pay grades were offered improved terms
and conditions, but those at the top were offered less.

Under the SSA, any changes to pay are frozen for three years to
give staff a chance to find another job or appeal. Unison said the
changes would lead to pay rises for around 20 per cent of staff,
cuts for another 20 per cent, and no change for the rest.

Aberdeen is the second Scottish council to try to implement the
SSA. The first, Moray, is also negotiating with unions. Edinburgh
and Glasgow will start the process of job reviews later in the
year.

It has also caused problems between employees and some councils in
England.