Council supports equal pay offer

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Councillors in Renfrewshire have unanimously backed an equal pay offer to catering, home care and cleaning staff.

A special meeting of Renfrewshire Council approved a report outlining the Council’s equal pay offer to 1900 female staff.

Depending on job category and length of service, staff could obtain a maximum of between £7750 and £9000.

Councillor Robert McNally, Renfrewshire Council’s Personnel Spokesperson, said: “We believe that we have put forward a fair and comprehensive proposal which can resolve this issue.

“Renfrewshire is in the same position as local authorities across the country. We want to settle this issue and we believe we have came forward with a package which is fair to staff and which can be concluded in the next couple of months.”

Councillor McNally added: “Every employee will now be sent detailed information on what they would individually receive. We’ll be providing the fullest information possible and also staging meetings where employees will have access to independent legal advice. Our intention is that staff who sign up will have their full backdated pay by Easter.”

If all staff take up the offer, the cost to Renfrewshire Council could be over £11 million.

And Council Leader Jim Harkins insisted he will be looking for support from the Scottish Executive given the added financial cost to the council of concluding an equal pay agreement.

“We want to avoid any risk to jobs or services in the future. That’s why we have already contacted the Scottish Executive and Westminster to make the case for additional funding. We’ll be stepping up our case that councils,employees and ultimately council taxpayers deserve support to balance funding pay settlements with maintaining public services.”

Press Release: Friday 27 January 2006