Pay freeze threat for Northumberland County Council workers

Nov 4 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

“So we will be urging our members to fight this attempt to deny staff their contractual rights.”

And Unison’s Northumberland branch secretary Ian Fleming said the move, coupled with the likelihood of a Conservative Government’s national pay freeze, would force strike negotiations on to the work force.

He added: “We are setting out to speak to members across the county and get their views on this.

“We know the council wants to save £1.8m and we know that the local plans coupled with what is happening nationally means we are facing up to no pay increase at all across the county.

“It is frankly wrong of the council to ask staff to change their terms of employment. We know it is going to be difficult for local government next year, but it is looking like it will be even worse in Northumberland. We see the council trying to save £33m a year and asking the workforce to carry some of those cuts. It is not something we are prepared to do and at the moment all options are open to us, including strike action.

“We are led by our members, and will have a better idea about where we go next when we have finished consulting members.”

Nick Cook, director of corporate services at Northumberland County Council, said: “We have been consulting the unions about a possible freeze on pay increments within salary scales. Employees would still receive any national annual pay award agreed.

“The proposal would save in the region of 90 jobs and is one of the many tough budget options the council is currently considering as it looks to make substantial savings, while trying to protect front-line services and jobs.”