'Ask Annemarie'
Here's a topical question readers might like to ask Annemarie O'Donnell - and since Glasgow's chief executive personally approved the decision to accept the car into the Council's fleet, I can only assume Annemarie knows whether the Rolls Royce is an all-purpose, all-weather vehicle.
Dear Annemarie
Do you know if the Council's new Rolls Royce has four-wheel drive and if so, might we be able to use it next time our clients and their carers get snowed in by terrible weather conditions?
A Glasgow Home Carer
'Ask Annemarie' (06/06/18)
Here's another topical question that equal pay claimants might like to ask the chief executive of Glasgow City Council, Annemarie O'Donnell - see post below on 'Glasgow's Bold New Equal Pay Initiative' dated 5th June 2018.
Dear Annemarie
In 2017 your remuneration package with Glasgow City Council came to an eye-watering and record high of £252,860.
Along with other senior officials in Glasgow you defended the WPBR pay scheme 'tooth and nail' for many years and, in my opinion, a remuneration package of £252,860 is tantamount to 'rewarding failure'.
Yours sincerely
A Second Class Member of the Glasgow 'Council Family'
The 'Ask Annmarie' equal pay hotline can be reached at the following email address - AnneMarie@glasgow.gov.uk - and keep your suggestions coming as I'll share thermal on the blog site.
Dear Annemarie
Can you explain how senior council officials who defended the WPBR for so many years can now be trusted to oversee the introduction of new, open and transparent pay arrangements which command the support of the Council's largely female workforce?
Yours sincerely
A Second Class Member of the Glasgow 'Council Family'
Glasgow's Bold New Equal Pay Initiative - 'Ask Annemarie' (05/06/18)
Here's the latest communication from Annemarie O'Donnell, Glasgow City Council's chief executive, who fought tooth and nail to defend the 'unfit for purpose' WPBR for years - and who is still refusing to explain how senior council officials acted in 'good faith' when this cockamamy pay scheme was introduced back in 2007.
I think you can tell this whole business of 'coming clean' about the WPBR is beginning to get under Annemarie's skin because her latest missive to the workforce tries to airbrush Action 4 Equality Scotland right out of the picture, as if we don't exist, even though A4ES represents the largest number of equal pay claimants in Glasgow.
Now there will be more to follow about Annemarie soon, as I recently registered a formal complaint with the CEO over what I regard as the Council's unprofessional behaviour in relation to freedom of information (FOI).
Sooner or later the penny must drop that the discredited senior council officials responsible for introducing and defending the WPBR and Glasgow's ALEOs - are part of the problem when it comes to equal pay not part of the solution!
So maybe readers would like to drop a note to Annemarie along the following lines to her new 'Ask Annmarie' equal pay hotline - AnneMarie@glasgow.gov.uk
Dear Annemarie
Can you explain how senior council officials who defended the WPBR for so many years can now be trusted to oversee the introduction of new, open and transparent pay arrangements which command the support of the Council's largely female workforce?
Yours sincerely
A Second Class Member of the Glasgow 'Council Family'
I wish you well although in my experience the problem lies not in asking Annemarie topical questions - but in getting straight answers out of the council's CEO.
If any readers have a 'Question for Annemarie', send me your suggestions and I'll share the details on the blog site - in confidence of course.
Subject: Equal pay claims and pay and grading review - message from Annemarie O'Donnell
I want to give you an update about the council’s commitment to resolving equal pay claims and making sure that we have a fair pay and grading system for everyone who works for the council in the future. I’m committed to keeping you informed about anything that could affect you in the future, even before we know the exact details about what this will mean to you.
As part of the ongoing equal pay claim negotiations, we have now agreed with our trade unions that we need to replace our current workforce pay and grading system and conduct a review to consider the alternatives open to the council to make sure that everyone is paid equally for equal work in the future.
A paper is being prepared, in consultation with the trade unions, to ask the City Administration Committee for a decision to carry out the review and that is likely to be before summer recess. We anticipate that it will take several months to complete the review and depending on the outcome, fully implementing the changes could take a number of years.
Although everyone who works in a non-teaching job in the council could be affected by this review, it won’t necessarily mean that everyone will experience a change to their pay and benefits.
Once the report for the City Administration Committee is available I will be in touch to tell you about the content and then again once the decision has been made about implementing the review.
As always, I am grateful for the work that you all do for Glasgow and its citizens. Although this will feel like an uncertain time, what won’t change is the type and quality of work that you all do to make this city better every day.
If you have any questions you can email me at Ask Annemarie
Regards
Annemarie O’Donnell
Chief Executive
If any readers have a 'Question for Annemarie', send me your suggestions and I'll share the details on the blog site - in confidence of course.
Subject: Equal pay claims and pay and grading review - message from Annemarie O'Donnell
I want to give you an update about the council’s commitment to resolving equal pay claims and making sure that we have a fair pay and grading system for everyone who works for the council in the future. I’m committed to keeping you informed about anything that could affect you in the future, even before we know the exact details about what this will mean to you.
As part of the ongoing equal pay claim negotiations, we have now agreed with our trade unions that we need to replace our current workforce pay and grading system and conduct a review to consider the alternatives open to the council to make sure that everyone is paid equally for equal work in the future.
A paper is being prepared, in consultation with the trade unions, to ask the City Administration Committee for a decision to carry out the review and that is likely to be before summer recess. We anticipate that it will take several months to complete the review and depending on the outcome, fully implementing the changes could take a number of years.
Although everyone who works in a non-teaching job in the council could be affected by this review, it won’t necessarily mean that everyone will experience a change to their pay and benefits.
Once the report for the City Administration Committee is available I will be in touch to tell you about the content and then again once the decision has been made about implementing the review.
As always, I am grateful for the work that you all do for Glasgow and its citizens. Although this will feel like an uncertain time, what won’t change is the type and quality of work that you all do to make this city better every day.
If you have any questions you can email me at Ask Annemarie
Regards
Annemarie O’Donnell
Chief Executive
Get A Grip Cordia (3)
Here is a selection of comments from Facebook and Twitter about the business of Cordia staff being told to turn up for work in schools and nurseries which Glasgow City Council had already decided would be closed because of the appalling weather conditions earlier in the week.
Now I can understand a policy under which all school staff (teacher and support staff) are encouraged to turn up for work in bad weather, the it is difficult but safe to travel.
I can also understand a policy where staff can be redeployed to other nearby schools and nurseries to plug gaps in particular areas and keep an essential service going.
But what I can't understands how teachers and other support staff can be penalised and treated so differently, with one group being told that they have to take annual leave or unpaid leave if they fail to turn up for work in an empty school - one which the council has already announced has been closed.
Now an essential part of good management is effective communication, but on this particular occasion the left hand of Glasgow City Council didn't seem to know what the right hand was doing.
In 2010, I had to walk to school after my head teacher told us we had to come in. I fell quite a few times on the way there, my hair was white with frost upon arrival only to be told we were closing after all. Teachers were told the same and treated the same way, we were then told to report to our nearest school, so what is happening at Cordia now seems to be the old practice for all staff under the old council. To be quite honest this time around, I was totally surprised that we were told not to try make it to work. It is awful that Cordia staff have not been looked after the way that the rest of us have this time around but in the past, we were all asked to do the same.
T
What’s the point of us sitting in an empty school . And it’s saying on Twitter that all schools are closed xx
We were all told on Wednesday take off without pay or make up time I don't think so shocking that happened last time teacher were sent home and catering staff were told to clean
I had 2 open up the school I work in at 5 o clock in the morn, was told I had 2 take either unpaid leave, owe them hours or use Inservice days, even tho schools closed I was told 2 scrub floors for something 2 do
Can u see teachers being treated the way u's r if theyr not telling teachers to walk to nearest schools then they shouldn't b telling u's it's a total disgrace!!!
It’s a disgrace my mum had to go to a school and there where 3 janitors and so many kitchen staff and cleaners just doesn’t make any sense why they’ve to make they’re way in this weather to sit in an empty building and stare at each other it’s shocking and to be told no use won’t be getting paid if use don’t go x
What’s the point of us sitting in an empty school . And it’s saying on Twitter that all schools are closed xx
N
Who’s telling cleaners to go in all schools r closed I’m a school cleaner and not been in the past couple of days if kids r not in why is cleaners and dinners lady’s going in what r Yous doing sitting in a class?
Who’s telling cleaners to go in all schools r closed I’m a school cleaner and not been in the past couple of days if kids r not in why is cleaners and dinners lady’s going in what r Yous doing sitting in a class?
S
S
J
D
C
Glasgow - Breaking News!
I have just been told that Cordia staff have received a text to confirm that no one will 'penalised' for not getting into work while Glasgow's schools have been closed over the past few days, due to the unprecedented weather conditions.
In other words, no member of staff will have to take unpaid leave or use their annual leave - which sounds like a victory for common sense, if you ask me.
So well done to everyone who helped get a message across to Cordia (and no doubt GCC) earlier today including Councillor Elspeth Kerr who stood up and spoke out at a crucial time.
Yet again people have helped to prove the point that 'Many Hands Make Light Work' which is encouraging for the ongoing fight for equal pay.
Today, Cordia's annual leave/unpaid leave malarkey has been the centre of attention, for obvious reasons, but in the days ahead the focus will shift to the City Council's 'unfit for purpose' WPBR pay scheme.
Get A Grip, Cordia! 2 (02/03/18)
Well here's some encouraging news - a straightforward, uninhibited response from Cllr Elspeth Kerr who says she absolutely agrees that Cordia staff should not have to take annual leave or unpaid leave as a result of the recent Glasgow school shutdown.
Well said Elspeth!
All I can add is to say 'Good For You' for taking such a firm, no nonsense stand and I hope that you get full backing from the rest of your group on Monday!
Hi Mark
I absolutely agree that staff should not have to take time as holiday or unpaid or put themselves in danger getting to work. I am going to bring it up at our group meeting on Monday.
Kind regards
Cllr Elspeth Kerr
Ward 14 Drumchapel/Anniesland
Get A Grip, Cordia! (02/03/180
Here's an interesting message I received a short time ago via Twitter from a regular reader in Glasgow.
Mark
My mother in law is a janitor/cleaner for Cordia. She made it in on wed, didnt go in thurs as nursery was closed. Her line manager phoned her at home,demanding to know why she didnt turn up at nearest school. She told her she needs to take annual leave as a result.
K
Well my advice is not to agree to take annual leave or unpaid leave on a voluntary basis.
In the employee's shoes, I would advise the Cordia manager that I want to raise a grievance over their instruction as it seems unfair and unreasonable given the terrible weather conditions.
As well as being completely at odds to the way in which the Council's teaching staff are treated.
And you know what, reasonable people who read my blog seem to agree!
C
Exactly Mark could you imagine a teacher walking to school to sit in an empty classroom but our cleaners have been told to sit in a cold empty school honest you couldn't make it up x
F
What Are You Thinking, Cordia? (02/3/18)
I've heard several reports from Cordia staff employed in Glasgow's schools that during the terrible weather of the last couple of days they have still been instructed to turn up for work.
Now I can't really believe this because Glasgow City Council announced very early on Wednesday morning that all schools and nurseries would be closed out of concern for the safety of students, parents and staff.
So if all the schools and nurseries are closed, why in the name of God were school cleaners and so on not being advised to stay at home?
Even worse are stories of staff being instructed to either take annual leave or a day's unpaid leave if they are not prepared to turn up to work at an empty school - how foolish does that make Cordia look?
If anyone is penalised financially for not turning up at work when their school is closed, please let me know - in confidence, of course.
Can anyone imagine a school teacher being treated in this way?
Of course not, so why should other staff put up with such nonsense.
Calling Glasgow! (02/03/18)
I have just sent this email to all elected councillors in Glasgow given the comments I've read on Facebook and Twitter.
If readers have examples of non-teaching staff being told to turn up for work to empty schools and nurseries when all Glasgow's schools and nurseries have been closed, let me have the details - in confidence, of course.
Likewise if staff have been told to take annual leave or unpaid leave - which amounts to a ridiculous and completely unreasonable punishment, if you ask me.
Dear Councillor
Glasgow's Schools
I thought you would be interested in the following post from my blog site regarding the very different ways in which teaching and other support staff are being treated in Glasgow's school during the terrible weather conditions of the past few days.
I will be posting again on my blog later today in response to comments from readers via the blog site, email, Facebook and Twitter: www.action4equalityscotland.blogspot.com
Kind regards
Mark Irvine
What Are You Thinking, Cordia? (02/03/18)
I've heard several reports from Cordia staff employed in Glasgow's schools that during the terrible weather of the last couple of days they have still been instructed to turn up for work.
Now I can't really believe this because Glasgow City Council announced very early on Wednesday morning that all schools and nurseries would be closed out of concern for the safety of students, parents and staff.
So if all the schools and nurseries are closed, why in the name of God were school cleaners and so on not being advised to stay at home?
Even worse are stories of staff being instructed to either take annual leave or a day's unpaid leave if they are not prepared to turn up to work at an empty school - how foolish does that make Cordia look?
If anyone is penalised financially for not turning up at work when their school is closed, please let me know - in confidence, of course.
Can anyone imagine a school teacher being treated in this way?
Of course not, so why should other staff put up with such nonsense.
