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Pay cut refusal staff face sack
2011-03-14 18:17:56
14 March 2011 Last updated at 17:03 Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print Southampton council staff who refuse pay cut face sack The council said a further 400 jobs could be lost unless staff took a pay cut Continue reading the main story Related Stories Union council staff reject cuts Council staff storm cuts meeting Rally as council axes 40 top jobs
Workers at Southampton City Council face losing their jobs unless they agree to a pay cut.
The Conservative-run authority has issued letters asking staff earning more than £17,500 to agree to new terms, including reduced working hours.
Unless staff agree to the conditions, which take effect on 1 July, they will no longer work for the authority.
Union Unison claims the move is unlawful and says it is launching legal action against the council.
'Will not pay'Council leader Royston Smith said he was satisfied the authority had properly consulted with staff over the decision.
Unions are planning a rally on Thursday and are threatening industrial action in May.
Earlier this month, the majority of GMB and Unison union members voted against the planned cuts.
Unison branch Secretary Mike Tucker said: "These reckless actions are unlawful and Unison will be seeking millions of pounds in compensation from the council for our members.
"Unison members will not pay for the financial crisis created by the Conservatives and the bankers."
Mr Smith said: "Councils around the country are closing libraries and shutting down front-line services to find their savings. I refuse to go down that route as our residents deserve better.
"Any pay cut can make a difference to people's lives so, of course, I can understand these concerns.
£25m budget cut"However, the alternative of hundreds more staff losing their jobs and the public losing services is something I can't consider.
"In response to claims that the council has acted illegally, I am fully satisfied that the council decision was made after a full period of consultation which began in November last year."
The council is already cutting 285 jobs and says, without the new employment conditions, a further 400 staff could go.
In February, councillors finalised £25m budget cuts and said all workers earning more than £17,500 would have their pay cut, with an equivalent reduction in working hours.
Staff earning £17,500 to £22,000 will have their pay cut by 2%, those in the £22,000 to £35,000 bracket will lose 4.5%, salaries of £35,000 to £65,000 will be reduced by 5% and those those earning more than £65,000 face a 5.5% cut.
A spokesman said the move would affect about 4,000 of the council's 6,600 staff.