Glasgow City Council Update

The Evening Times reports that the jobs of school janitors in Glasgow are to be 'reformed' in a bid to save the City Council money, but reading between the lines this would also be a way of justifying a pay increase for this particular group of staff.

Now I don't know enough about the dispute to say whether this might provide a fair solution, but what I do know is that there must be lots of other groups within the City Council who feel they've been short-changed as a result of Glasgow's Workforce Pay and Benefits Review (WPBR), which is just a fancy name for a local job evaluation scheme (JES).

Which begs the question: Why aren't the  unions fighting and campaigning for these groups of staff as well?



http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/14507643.Jannies_jobs_to_be__reformed__in_a_bid_to_save_Cordia___11m/

Jannies jobs to be 'reformed" in a bid to save Cordia £11m

Glasgow janitors who work for Cordia protest outside its headquarters in Glasgow

B Hannah Rodger - Evening Times

CALLS have been made for a review of school janitors duties in a bid to end their dispute over pay.

As reported by the Evening Times, dozens of primary school janitors have been on strike all week in a row over extra pay for unpleasant duties.

Yesterday we told of how a school's gates were left unopened during the strike and two children with additional support needs left.

The jannies, employed by arms-length Glasgow City Council firm Cordia and members of trade union Unison, argue their colleagues receive additional pay for duties involving physical demand, working outdoors or in unpleasant conditions of up to £1000 a year.

Malcolm Balfour, SNP councillor, has now written to education bosses Maureen McKenna and Liz Cameron, as well as Cordia chief Andy Clark asking for a review of their duties.

In the letter, he said: "I am writing with regards to the ongoing janitorial dispute.

"I would like to call on the Education Department to have a full review of all janitorial duties.

"I would like this review to be concluded before the school summer holidays begin so that this gives a true reflection of all the duties the janitors undertake- inside and outside."

He added: "Given that Cordia is a member of the council family and is in fact fully funded by this council it is my belief that all department that deal with or are contracted to this council have a duty of care to all who use our educational facilities, and therefore urge all of them to work with the janitors and their representatives."

In response, he was told by Ms Mckenna and Councillor Cameron that the janitors were employed by Cordia, and the company was carrying out a review of their service.

Janitors roles and duties are understood to be subject to a "janitorial reform" by Cordia bosses in a but to save almost £11million in the next two years.

The review aims to find out how the janitorial service can be "delivered more efficiently" and how it can mean the requirements within the budget.

A note by Cordia boss Andy Clark, seen by the Evening Times, states: "The Janitorial Reform will have a number of objectives including how the Janitorial Service can be delivered more efficiently and how it will meet the needs of our customers within their budget.

"Once this is all determined then Cordia will, given such a significant change in the role of a Janitor, assess the new role and assign an appropriate Role Profile which outlines the key role and responsibilities of each job and the core pay that goes with that job.

"Furthermore, a reassessment of the Working Context and Demands and Non Standard Working Pattern will be made in line with these new roles."

"A Cordia spokesman said: “At a meeting on Tuesday of this week, Cordia invited representation from each of the trade unions to take part in the forthcoming janitorial review.

“This review is part of the Transforming Glasgow programme, of which Cordia must deliver £11 million in savings over the next two years.

“We have encouraged active participation from all trade unions in the review, which will be comprehensive and cover every aspect of the janitorial role.

“The first meeting will take place in June.”