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[[Policy and Resources Committee]]

Thursday, 9th February, 2006

==MEETING OF POLICY AND RESOURCES (PERSONNEL) SUB-COMMITTEE==


	Members present:	Councillor Cobain (Chairman); and
		Councillors Moore, Mullaghan and Rodgers.

	In attendance: 
* Mr. [[C. Quigley]], [[Director of Legal Services]];
* Mr. [[S. Black]], [[Head of Human Resources]];
* Ms. [[D. Murtagh]], Principal Solicitor;
* Mrs. [[J. Leslie]], Project Manager (Single Status);
* Mrs. [[C. Christy]], Principal Human Resources Advisor (Development);
* Mrs. [[J. Minne]], Principal Human Resources Advisor (Support); and
* Mr. [[J. Goodall]], Senior Committee Administrator.

==Apologies==

	Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Cunningham, Ekin, Kelly and P. Maskey.

==Minutes==

	The minutes of the [[Belfast City Council Policy and Resources (Personnel) Sub-Committee Minutes 12 January 2006|meeting of 12th January]], which had been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct.

==Trades Unions Response to the Management Side Position on Single Status==

	The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its [[Belfast City Council Policy and Resources (Personnel) Sub-Committee Minutes 12 January 2006|meeting on 12th January]], it had agreed that a Trades Unions delegation be received to provide them with an opportunity to present their written response to the Management Side position on Single Status and to explain their position in respect of the Scheme’s impact on Basic Grade Staff.

	The Head of Human Resources submitted for the information of the Members copies of the Management Side position, the Trades Unions response and a summary and commentary on the points contained within the Trades Unions position paper.

	A copy of the [[Belfast City Council Policy and Resources (Personnel) Sub-Committee Report on Management Side Position on Single Status (February 2006)|position paper]] and the [[Belfast City Council Policy and Resources (Personnel) Sub-Committee Report on Trades Unions Response Management Side Position on Single Status (February 2006)|Trades Unions response]] thereto is set out hereunder.
 
	It was reported that the Trades Unions delegation, consisting of Messrs. K. Clayton, AT & GWU, S. Stockman, GMB, B. Graham and T. Wilkinson, NIPSA, T. Smith, SIPTU and G. Ó Fachtna, Trade Union Co-ordinator, was in attendance and the representatives were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman (Councillor Cobain).

	In reviewing the contents of the Trades Unions response, Mr. Ó Fachtna provided an overview of the current position, highlighted the key issues, identified the challenges and outlined the suggested methods by which the matter might be progressed.  He acknowledged the tight timescale in respect of the introduction of the Single Status Agreement and pointed out that the Trades Unions were not intransigent but rather were keen to reach an agreement.  He did, however, emphasise that some of the issues raised by Management, whilst valid in terms of the improvement agenda, were not matters for Single Status negotiations.  They welcomed the Council’s commitment to limit the impact of the introduction of the Scheme financially but stressed that amendments to current terms and conditions of existing staff was also an issue for the Trades Unions.  Mr. Ó Fachtna stressed the impact of the introduction of the Scheme on those Basic Grade Staff who had not had access to a Job Evaluation.  He highlighted the impact of a reduction of up to 40% in the income of those workers who would lose their bonus payments and suggested that the freeze and catch-up solution would not address the situation to their satisfaction.  Mr. Ó Fachtna concluded by pointing out that the Trades Unions had contacted colleagues in Britain to learn from their experience and were of the opinion that, given the overall good relations which existed between Management and the Trades Unions, a successful outcome to the negotiated introduction of Single Status arrangements could be achieved.

	During discussion, Mr. Ó Fachtna responded to a question from a Member by pointing out that the Trades Unions would prefer to have the issue of the abolition of bonus payments addressed by increasing the value of jobs as opposed to introduction of a freeze and catch-up solution.  The Chairman (Councillor Cobain) stressed the fact that the current timeframe had been established by the National Joint council and was not negotiable.  The Trades Unions delegation responded to a further question by putting forward the view that the abolition of the task and finish arrangements did not fall within the scope of the Single Status provisions and should be considered as part of an improvement agenda.  Mr. Clayton illustrated the impact that the loss of bonus could make to the pay of affected employees.

	The Chairman (Councillor Cobain), on behalf of the Sub-Committee, thanked the Trades Unions representatives for being in attendance and they retired from the meeting.

	The Head of Human Resources reviewed for the information of the Members the summary and commentary on both position papers.  He pointed out that, whereas the thrust of the Trades Unions position related to the establishment of equality, the Management Side would also have to address the issues of affordability and service improvement in respect of any changes to terms and conditions.  To this end, the unsustainability of bonus must be accepted and Single Status implemented as a total package with the elements proposed in the Management Position.  He pointed out also that, whilst the Job Evaluation exercise was on track, the Management Side did not agree that the grading of the Basic Grade Employees was a Single Status issue.  In addition, the Trades Unions’ requests for the introduction of a thirty-six hour week and for an additional three days leave per annum were not equality issues and each had significant recurring cost implications.

	After further discussion, the Sub-Committee noted the contents of the position papers and agreed the content of the summary and commentary thereon.  It was agreed further that the Officers’ Negotiating Team relay the views of the Members to the Trades Unions at the forthcoming meeting on 22nd February and specifically on the basis that the existing <s>hours</s>{{sic}}[[Policy and Resources (Personnel) Sub-Committee 9 March 2006#minutes|bonus]] system would terminate, with all efforts being made to address the resulting shortfall in pay through upgrading of jobs/flexible working and “Freeze and Catch up”, and that the current task and finish arrangements would also cease with effect from 1st April, 2007.  It was agreed further that the Trades Unions submissions regarding hours and leave be rejected and that the question of basic grade evaluation be discussed with the Trades Unions as a discrete issue with a report thereon being submitted to a future meeting.  

	The Sub-Committee agreed also that the outcome of the negotiations with the Trades Unions be reported back to a special meeting of the Sub-Committee and that the commentary and summary on the position papers be forwarded to each Member of the Council advising them that the Head of Human Resources would be available to discuss with them any issue of interest and that that document and the two position papers be lodged in the Members’ Library.






Chairman

[[Category:Belfast City Council Policy and Resources (Personnel) Sub-Committee Minutes February 2006]]
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