Opposition politicians at County Hall are calling for low paid council staff to be spared from pay cuts.
The leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition, Councillor Brendan Glynane, has secured a debate at this Thursday’s full council meeting addressing the proposed changes to pay and conditions at Conservative-run Northamptonshire County Council.
Staff were told last month that they were being consulted on a potential 3.6 per cent pay cut and some draconian changes to sickness and holiday pay.
Councillor Glynane said “The Conservatives really need to listen this time. The Liberal Democrats are calling for all staff earning under the “living wage” (£7.45/ hour) to be protected.
“The Conservatives record on protecting low paid staff is poor. Under their “pay and benefits” review many low paid staff have already been hit hard. Like many people hard working staff at the bottom of the pay scale are struggling in these difficult times. We must ensure that they are not hit hard by pay cuts.”
The motion before this week’s meeting states; “This council notes that consultation with the unions is currently ongoing with regards to changes to staff pay and conditions
This council believes that staff at Northamptonshire County Council work hard in often challenging circumstances and any changes to pay and conditions should be kept to the minimum possible
This council further believes that those staff who are at the lower end of the pay scale should be protected from pay cuts
This council therefore resolves to ensure that no employee earning under the “Living Wage” (currently £7.45 per hour outside of London) should receive a pay cut”.
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