Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has commenced its biggest ever consultation exercise with its employees, as the authority prepares to outline its proposals to implement Single Status.

More than 2,000 employees have been sent consultation packs and the Comhairle will be seeking their views on the proposals.

Chief Executrive, Malcolm Burr said: “Single Status is one of the biggest, and longest running, challenges currently facing every Council in Scotland. 

The Single Status Agreement was agreed by Trades Unions in 1999 and it was always acknowledged that some employees would suffer detriment.  The agreement came from recognition that pay and conditions in local government were open to challenge under equal pay legislation where men or women in jobs of equal worth are paid differently

Over the last six years the Comhairle has been striving to implement an agreement that provides a fair and equitable pay and conditions model for all our employees.

The proposed pay model requires a significant increase in resources by the Comhairle and is by no means a cost neutral option in terms of affordability.  By choosing the proposed model, the Comhairle has sought to manage costs and protect jobs; in other Councils, job reductions are unfortunately part of the model.  The result of our model is that 64% of employees will see their pay go up, 25% will see their pay remain the same and 11% will have their pay conserved for a period of three years.

The Comhairle is investing £3.3 million into these proposals.  Our priority is that employees are rewarded fairly and that the proposals are flexible enough to allow the Comhairle to continue to deliver high quality services.”

A Single Status helpline has been set up so that employees can discuss any queries directly with members of the Single Status team.

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk