Time limit for staff who have pay cut at Huntingdonshire District Council

Staff at Huntingdonshire District Council who have been told their salaries are to be cut have until the end of next week to appeal.

Nearly 300 employees found out on Thursday (January 30) that they were to lose out following a pay review – the first the authority had carried out for 25 years.

As reported by The Hunts Post last week, HDC managing director Joanne Lancaster said the council had to review pay because the current system was not financially sustainable and was unfair.

Letters were sent to all 692 permanent members of staff outlining their new pay arrangements, to come into force from April 1.

While 395 employees are to see an increase in wages, 294 were facing cuts and just three were to stay the same.

Of those losing pay, 160 – 90 women and 70 men – were told their loss amounted to at least nine per cent of their earnings. Ten workers were told they would lose more than 30 per cent.

They have to decide whether to accept the new pay model by Friday, February 14.

Anyone who intends to appeal must do so on the grounds that their job is different to the role that was evaluated as part of the review, or if they feel their role has been undervalued. Evidence has to be submitted to back up their case.

An ‘independent person’ will hear the appeals, along with a member of HR, and their decision will be final, with no right to challenge the outcome.

Employees can chose to accept the new arrangements and have their pay protected in full for three months, or be paid their new salary plus half the difference for six months.

Rejecting the pay offer, said Mrs Lancaster in a report, would result in contracts being terminated.

An HDC spokesman said information about the number of staff involved in the appeal process so far was not available.