Glasgow - Job Evaluation Update
I understand that Glasgow City Council has called a halt to the important job evaluation (JE) work that has been underway for several months now to replace its 'unfit for purpose' WPBR pay scheme.
As far as I know, this crucial decision has been taken without any prior discussion with the Claimant Organisations - A4ES, GMB, Unison and Unite.
Which is worrying because the Council has previously agreed that this vital JE exercise should be completed and new pay arrangements put in place by April 2021.
Now no one is seeking to minimise the potential threat posed by the ongoing Coronavirus epidemic.
But at the same time surely the Claimant Organisations are entitled to be consulted over what reasonable steps can be taken, in the present circumstances, to avoid a complete shutdown.
Glasgow - 'Council Family' (14/03/20)
The workers who clean Glasgow's schools and other public buildings seem to be saying there's a problem with quality and availability of the cleaning products they use on a regular basis
But instead of listening to their concerns Glasgow City Council seems to be saying that the people on the front-line (who are sometimes referred to as members of the Council Family) don't know what they're talking about.
Read the full report via the link below to the Glasgow Evening Times.
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/18298743.workers-say-cleaning-products-city-schools-inadequate-amid-coronavirus-outbreak---council-disagrees/?
Workers say cleaning products in city schools are 'inadequate' amid coronavirus outbreak - but council disagrees
By Stacey Mullen - Evening Times
Workers say cleaning products in city schools are 'inadequate' amid coronavirus outbreak - but council disagrees
CLEANING products used in city schools and public buildings are 'inadequate and insufficient', it has been claimed by a union representing council workers.
The GMB Union said they have carried out a survey amongst its members who are responsible for cleaning the council properties.
They claim 91 percent of those workers questioned said the cleaning products that the council provides are of poor quality and insufficient to do the job properly.
The survey results come in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak which was yesterday declared a global pandemic.
The union added that under-staffing is also affecting the workers' ability to do their job. A total of 71 percent of the workforce said that this was the case with increased pressure on their workloads.
The survey also revealed that 96 percent of staff admitted that "certain cleaning jobs aren't being done".
GMB Scotland Organiser Rhea Wolfson said: “Glasgow’s schools are a crucial front in the fight to contain the coronavirus crisis, but the truth is that after over a decade of austerity, the council is not fit for the fight.
“Cleaners have admitted to taking their own cleaning products to work because they felt they couldn't trust what the council provides to get the job done.
“We can’t mitigate the threat of coronavirus if we can’t get the basics right. The council has to give the service the support and resources it needs to keep the schools clean and to keep people safe."
A council spokeswoman said: “Our cleaning staff are valued members of our workforce and we routinely review our cleaning products and equipment to keep pace with developing trends to help staff carry out their work.
“We have also over the last 12 months seen an increase in the number of full time equivalent staff who clean our schools, care homes and public.
“The issues raised about coronavirus is totally unnecessary scaremongering.”
