A REQUEST by unions to extend a £250 Christmas bonus to all council workers – regardless of their pay – has been rejected, the Post understands.Earlier this month Ashfield District Council agreed to spend about £75,000 of public money on the pay award to staff earning less than £21,000.The move was criticised by the council's own finance chief, who said it had not been budgeted for and could lead to cuts elsewhere.But the council today looked at extending the bonus scheme to all 524 workers, including the chief executive, who earns £97,500 a year.The proposal, which the council said would have cost an extra £52,750, was suggested by Unison and the GMB, who said the council could "indeed afford to pay £250 to all staff in recognition of their hard work to upkeep the level of services during difficult times".It came after three years of frozen public sector pay, which, considering inflation, was the equivalent to a 13 per cent pay cut, the unions said.However, at yesterday's local joint consultative committee meeting, attended by trade union representatives and councillors, it was agreed the payment would not be made, said Richard Buckwell, chairman of the Ashfield Unison branch.In a statement, Unison said: "Due to there being no precedent to go beyond payment of £250 to staff earning under £21,000, this committee recommended that no payment of £250 is made to the remaining members of staff – but informal discussions be opened in the new year between unions and management in respect of a pay award for 2013-14, taking into account all issues raised during the meeting."The payment has been called a 'Christmas bonus' by councillors, officers and the authority's own chief of finance, but Mr Buckwell said this was "misinformation".He added: "The trade unions will be taking further steps about the misinformation that has been put out about this award that has endangered the duty of care owed to staff, and has resulted in some verbal abuse to council workers, including bin men."Vera Malcolm, 84, of Leadale Avenue, Hucknall, which falls within the council's administrative area, welcomed the decision. She said: "Giving the money to people who are struggling is almost acceptable, but rolling it out to people who are on almost £100,000 would have been absolutely ridiculous and I would have heavily disagreed."I'm glad the council seems to have shown some common sense.But on the other hand, why give anybody a bonus? I think a lot of people are struggling in this town, not just lower-paid council staff."The council refused to comment on the outcome of the meeting, because it wasn't held in public. It said it was not forced to make a statement, according to the Local Government Act 1972.
Do you have a view on this story? E-mail winnie.agbonlahor@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk
Do you have a view on this story? E-mail winnie.agbonlahor@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk