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Council to rip up 30,000 contracts
A three-month consultation over pay for Lancashire County Council staff began on Tuesday.
Discussions were taking place with workers and trades unions to consider new terms and conditions of employment under the Equal Pay Review.
Following agreement from the county council's Urgency Committee, the consultation has been given the go-ahead and will run until March 2010.
During the consultation, staff will be asked to consider new terms and conditions on areas including working hours, annual leave, flexi-time and pay.
Ged Fitzgerald, chief executive, said: "All councils have carried out similar reviews to make sure their staff are fairly paid for the work they do.
"While it is important to meet our responsibilities on equal pay, we need to ensure the county council remains focused on delivering the services people want and need."
The review includes around 30,000 staff. Some employees, mainly teaching staff whose salaries are negotiated nationally, are not involved.
Carol Mills, director of human resources, said: "This is an opportunity for staff to have their say on the proposed new pay and conditions and for the council to listen to any alternatives. We are committed to meaningful consultation.
"We hope staff will understand why certain changes have to be made."
Historically, people have been employed by the council with a range of different terms and conditions. They are being changed to ensure everyone gets the same pay and terms for doing the same level of job.
Councils across the country are required to hold an equal pay review.
If an agreement is reached following the consultation, staff will receive letters informing them of their new pay, grade and terms and conditions.
If an agreement is not reached, staff will be sent individual letters asking them to voluntarily agree. Staff who do not will receive a notice of dismissal along with an offer of immediate re-engagement on new terms. They will not need to reapply for their jobs.
A review of pay and conditions for staff on senior grades will take place next year.
Frank Hont, regional secretary for Unison North West, said: "Unison has a lot of experience in dealing with these situations in Greater Manchester and Cumbria so we are well prepared in Lancashire."
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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