Proposals designed to implement a new pay and grading structure for some 9,000 Durham County Council employees will go before Full Council next week.
Since its launch as a Unitary authority in April 2009, in which eight councils became one, a wide scale project of information gathering and job assessment has been undertaken.
The aim of the work, which is being carried out in partnership with the local trade unions, aims to introduce a simplified and fair pay system for staff.
With this research complete, members agreed in October 2011 to move forward with trade union discussions – an approach which has led to a package of proposed changes that will now go before Full Council for consideration.
In addition, local trade unions will seek views from their national offices, prior to gauging employee’s opinions on the suggested changes.
Cllr Alan Napier, Cabinet member for resources, said: “This is a complex issue which affects the vast majority of our non school based staff and as such it is important to highlight the valuable contribution local trade unions have made in supporting such a wide ranging review.
“The proposals would see no change to the salaries of over half of our employees, whilst for around 20 per cent of employees the proposals will result in a reduction in salary.
“However the proposals will potentially see their current levels protected for two years and there will be enhanced holiday allowances for many.
“The over-arching aim of this extensive piece of work is to deliver a fair, equitable and affordable system which reflects the Unitary council as it exists today.”
Other areas which have been reviewed and which form part of the current proposals include the suggestion to end the current essential car user allowance given to some staff and replace it with one mileage rate applicable to all employees who are required to use their own cars for business reasons.
The financial implication of the proposals have been incorporated into the council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.
The next steps are that, should Full Council agree the proposals next Wednesday (February 22), work with trade unions will continue, supporting the discussions at national level, and dates will be agreed as to when employees would learn their personal outcome from the exercise.
