North Lanarkshire
A reader from North Lanarkshire has been in touch to say that the council is trying to make changes to her contract of employment.
Apparently the council's aim to to 'persuade' the reader - and presumably lots of other workers as well - to accept a new 38 week contract - whereas at the moment she works for 40 weeks throughout the year.
The reader has been offered some derisory compensation - as an incentive to accept the change voluntarily - but is reluctant to do so, understandably, as it represents a 5% cut in her annual pay.
Now employers cannot change people's contracts of employment unilaterally - they need to seek agreement and consult properly.
So I would be asking who else is being lined up to have their pay and hours reduced - is it just the low paid groups of workers - as often happens in these situations?
Because if so, the trade unions should be making a big fuss - publicising what's going on - giving good advice and support - and generally standing up for their members.
Apparently the council's aim to to 'persuade' the reader - and presumably lots of other workers as well - to accept a new 38 week contract - whereas at the moment she works for 40 weeks throughout the year.
The reader has been offered some derisory compensation - as an incentive to accept the change voluntarily - but is reluctant to do so, understandably, as it represents a 5% cut in her annual pay.
Now employers cannot change people's contracts of employment unilaterally - they need to seek agreement and consult properly.
So I would be asking who else is being lined up to have their pay and hours reduced - is it just the low paid groups of workers - as often happens in these situations?
Because if so, the trade unions should be making a big fuss - publicising what's going on - giving good advice and support - and generally standing up for their members.
