(21/10/10) Proposals to change the policy of Bradford Council in respect of the discretionary payments for redundancy and severance have today been agreed by the Councils ruling Executive Committee.

New arrangements will mean that the level to which the Council will make compensation payments to those leaving will be reduced – please see the ready reckoner. This decision is in line with the majority of councils across the Region.

UNISON and our partner unions were consulted on the proposal and, as the biggest union in the Council, UNISON opposed the change.

Bradford Council has stated its aim is to avoid compulsory redundancies and to maintain services. UNISON has been critical in the past of over generous pay outs to senior managers.

It has to be said that there is something to be said for a strategy that seeks to focus resources on maintaining jobs and avoiding compulsory redundancies. However, we think that the new policy has some flaws not least its impact on the lower paid.

UNISON is especially concerned about the impact of reductions in severance payments and pay protection on lower paid workers. UNISON has been critical in the past of over generous pay outs to senior managers.

UNISON and GMB have met with the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council and presented further options aimed at protecting low paid staff. We will report back on any developments in the coming weeks.

However, it has to be said, that this policy was always a discretionary arrangement and never a right for employees. It is entirely within the Councils power to decide whether anyone is offered severance and on what terms that offer is made. There is no contractual entitlement other than the statutory redundancy pay, and therefore the Council’s decision to change the policy is not the basis for a trade dispute and therefore there is no prospect for taking lawful industrial action.

Colleagues please be mindful of the Chief Executives briefings at which he emphasised that the Authority had no intention of seeking expressions of interest for voluntary severance as it was unaffordable.

Finally, some of you may have seen a newsletter that has recently been produced by UNITE on this issue. For reasons best known to themselves UNITE have decided to split from the joint trades union position despite jointly agreeing a position, and are now trying to make mischief by incorrectly seeking to blame UNISON and GMB for what is, after all, a Council decision and not an agreement. UNITE say that they will now ballot their members on industrial action and whilst this is clearly a matter for them, it is difficult to see with such a small membership how any industrial action would achieve an improvement in the employers position.

We are at a loss to see how public division between trade unions benefits anyone other than the employer and, of course, UNITE’s short term recruitment interests. Such public divisions weaken all trade union members and we trust that others will reflect on this in the future.

UNISON goes to great lengths to keep members properly informed of developments and you can be assured that we will always ensure that we do so in a thoughtful and timely manner. Of course, we are always looking for more stewards and workplace contacts, so if you would like to join our team of activists and play your part in representing our members’ interests please email admin@bradfordunison.org.uk