16 social workers in children, schools and families have received pay rises of between one and three increments (~£700-£2100) following UNISON raising a pay inconsistency with management back in December 2011.
Back in December 2011 a newly qualified social worker and Unison member brought to our attention the fact that newly qualified social workers were being appointed at different pay rates but were doing the same job. Unison raised this with local management who agreed to look into the situation.
Early in 2012 another member came forward with the same issue. Unison chased management who said that their initial investigation had in fact uncovered quite a number of cases where pay rates were lower than some of their colleagues.
As 2012 reached the summer months we were hopeful that a resolution was in sight but just when we thought a good outcome had been achieved Family Service and Social Work management announced that still more work had to be done. Unison raised the delay at three successive Children School and Families JCC’s (Joint Consultative Committee) meetings and also referred the matter up to the Corporate JCC.
This month – almost a year to the day the first claim was raised with management a resolution has been agreed. The outcome was that sixteen people received pay rises ranging from one to three incremental points, and in the majority of cases the rise was backdated to April 2012 with one backdated to December 2011. Those not at the top of the scale will receive another increment in April 2013.
Barry Walden
Branch Chair (Job share)
Camden UNISON