Single status statement from Councillor Roger Lawrence, leader of Wolverhampton City Council
Released: 14 November 2007
“Today, Cabinet has agreed an equal pay package that will ensure employees receive equal pay for work of equal value.
“Not only do we believe the package is fair to employees, we also believe it is affordable for the council and citizens too. It ensures that we continue to attract and retain the best people to deliver the thousands of vital services for our city.
“Our decision today marks a milestone in our delivery of Single Status in Wolverhampton, fulfilling a national agreement signed between local authority employers and trades’ unions back in 1997.
“We have taken great care over the process which has included the evaluation of thousands of jobs in the council. The pay model we have chosen converts the results of the evaluation of those jobs into a pay grading structure that ensures equal pay for work of equal value.
“As a result of our decision today, most employees of the council will receive a letter at their home addresses over the next few weeks, setting out what the pay model means for their proposed pay grades and other terms and conditions.
“In accordance with our collective bargaining arrangements, the council will now negotiate with the recognised trades’ unions on the proposed package. Employees may be balloted.
“If the proposed model is agreed, we know that around 50% will gain from the proposed package and 29% will stay the same. Twenty one per cent will require protection but only 10% will ultimately lose pay after a pay protection period.
“Employees who will see their pay go down following the job evaluation process will have their pay protected for a period of three years. We believe this gives them sufficient time to adjust their lives to their new circumstances. Managers will do all they can to offer them support.
“If employees are balloted, we sincerely hope they support the proposals which are, in my view, fair to both staff and citizens. If accepted by the workforce, Single Status will be implemented from March 2008.
“Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to all employees for their patience and cooperation in the Single Status process.”
Issued by the press office.