Council ‘should be paying living wage’ (From Worcester News)

So over 170 staff at the council are paid below the living wage. Which means less than 180 out of over 10,000 employees. Yet compare this with the private sector and the proportion of underpaid people is much much higher. Bar these 170 or so staff, this sums up nicely that council staff really are indeed not underpaid as they always make themselves out to be.

And next month they'll be able to enjoy their Christmas bonuses and their extravagent office parties all paid for by the tax payer.

DEMRICS, i am surprised you being another council basher who has no idea, i have friends who work at the county council, they work hard, many have been made redundant and some waiting to here, they have had no rise for 4 years, there hours cut and sick pay cut, do not get a christmas bonus and pay for there own party if they want one, the tax payer does not pay at all, i would be first to complain if that was the case,

Some of them have to monitor the Private sector as some provide the services the council uses, they charge more than the council would and give crap service most the time but they are used as this government has cut back so much on staff they out source now, it is not working as the services are getting worse so don't keep bleating on the Private sector is better as i have found in my experience they are not.

DEMRICS wrote:
So over 170 staff at the council are paid below the living wage. Which means less than 180 out of over 10,000 employees. Yet compare this with the private sector and the proportion of underpaid people is much much higher. Bar these 170 or so staff, this sums up nicely that council staff really are indeed not underpaid as they always make themselves out to be.

And next month they'll be able to enjoy their Christmas bonuses and their extravagent office parties all paid for by the tax payer.

"Christmas bonuses and extravagent office parties"

You're sure about that, are you?

mayall8808, you say you know people at the council who have had no rise for 4 years, have had their hours cut and sick pay cut.

This is nothing compared to the private sector where tens of thousands of workers haven't had a salary increase for far more than 4 years, yet work longer hours, while many do not even benefit from sick pay or receive bonuses while also having the threat of redundancy looming. Yet they still continue to work even harder than those at County Hall but do not complain as much about how bad off they are unlike council workers who constantly whinge and threaten strike action. County Hall staff really have no idea how privileged or well off they are, while they will be safe in the knowledge that Christmas for them will once again be an enjoyable one where money issues won't be a factor.

More than 1,000 Council employees were paid below the living wage yesterday - the poll clerks who had to attend work for 17 straight hours without a break which in every other circumstance would be illegal under the European Work Time directive. We know the turn out was minimal but it does not deminish the fact that they had to sit in what were often drafty and dismal polling stations doing a very boring job.

They should be properly paid for it.

Vox Rationis wrote:

DEMRICS wrote:
So over 170 staff at the council are paid below the living wage. Which means less than 180 out of over 10,000 employees. Yet compare this with the private sector and the proportion of underpaid people is much much higher. Bar these 170 or so staff, this sums up nicely that council staff really are indeed not underpaid as they always make themselves out to be.

And next month they'll be able to enjoy their Christmas bonuses and their extravagent office parties all paid for by the tax payer.

"Christmas bonuses and extravagent office parties"

You're sure about that, are you?

Of course he isn't, he hasn't got a clue!

Vox Rationis wrote:

DEMRICS wrote:
So over 170 staff at the council are paid below the living wage. Which means less than 180 out of over 10,000 employees. Yet compare this with the private sector and the proportion of underpaid people is much much higher. Bar these 170 or so staff, this sums up nicely that council staff really are indeed not underpaid as they always make themselves out to be.

And next month they'll be able to enjoy their Christmas bonuses and their extravagent office parties all paid for by the tax payer.

"Christmas bonuses and extravagent office parties"

You're sure about that, are you?

Well, if they do, it's changed since I worked for a local authority. We even had to book the afternoon off to have our Christmas party, out of our holiday entitlement, let alone pay for it.
When I think of the days I have spent working for the private sector and enjoying myself on the company's time: sailing days, golf days, theatre visits, boozy lunches in posh restaurants, nights away and dinners in 5* hotels in London. I could go on, but you get the drift.

I wonder what happened to the (sic) in the earlier comments??

Keith B wrote:
More than 1,000 Council employees were paid below the living wage yesterday - the poll clerks who had to attend work for 17 straight hours without a break which in every other circumstance would be illegal under the European Work Time directive. We know the turn out was minimal but it does not deminish the fact that they had to sit in what were often drafty and dismal polling stations doing a very boring job.

They should be properly paid for it.

I have to disagree with you Keith B.
My Poll Clerk told me that he was also still being paid for his council job. From experience I know this used to be the case, but I thought that it was no longer true for anything other than a general election.
His payment as poll clerk was a bonus that was going towards a good Christmas.
If he was wrong I am sure someone will soon correct him.
The draughty village hall had heating and soon warmed up. Plenty of people work under far worse conditions.
As for no breaks I have yet to have a day so busy that you don't get ample opportunity for a break. You may not leave the building but I don't find that a problem.
There are always quiet spells with no voters. This gives any sensible person ample time for cup of tea and a sandwich. The worst that is likely to happen is that you have to put down your cup of tea to issue a few ballot papers.
If it is such a bad job why do people volunteer? I have been poll clerk or presiding officer for over 20 years, and I know that there are plenty who have done it for longer than that.

farmeralan1963, i know of at least 17 who are facing redundancy after christmas,being kept in limbo and they are very knowledgeable people and its foolish to cut again, it will come back to haunt these managers who know nothing but keep there jobs,
Keith B and Maggie Would are right, as for this Private sector rubbish, i work with the council and the Private sector and the Private sector comes way down my list for everything, if you think a council job is good go get one they have vacant places but you got to be good and know what your doing to get them.

The Doosra wrote:

Vox Rationis wrote:

DEMRICS wrote:
So over 170 staff at the council are paid below the living wage. Which means less than 180 out of over 10,000 employees. Yet compare this with the private sector and the proportion of underpaid people is much much higher. Bar these 170 or so staff, this sums up nicely that council staff really are indeed not underpaid as they always make themselves out to be.

And next month they'll be able to enjoy their Christmas bonuses and their extravagent office parties all paid for by the tax payer.

"Christmas bonuses and extravagent office parties"

You're sure about that, are you?

Of course he isn't, he hasn't got a clue!

One of my colleagues has dealt with staff at the council and has been informed that the council pay for all or part of their Christmas parties, as well as receiving a bonus.

DEMRICS wrote:

The Doosra wrote:

Vox Rationis wrote:

DEMRICS wrote:
So over 170 staff at the council are paid below the living wage. Which means less than 180 out of over 10,000 employees. Yet compare this with the private sector and the proportion of underpaid people is much much higher. Bar these 170 or so staff, this sums up nicely that council staff really are indeed not underpaid as they always make themselves out to be.

And next month they'll be able to enjoy their Christmas bonuses and their extravagent office parties all paid for by the tax payer.

"Christmas bonuses and extravagent office parties"

You're sure about that, are you?

Of course he isn't, he hasn't got a clue!

One of my colleagues has dealt with staff at the council and has been informed that the council pay for all or part of their Christmas parties, as well as receiving a bonus.

Third-hand information... it must be true then

DEMRICS wrote:

The Doosra wrote:

Vox Rationis wrote:

DEMRICS wrote:
So over 170 staff at the council are paid below the living wage. Which means less than 180 out of over 10,000 employees. Yet compare this with the private sector and the proportion of underpaid people is much much higher. Bar these 170 or so staff, this sums up nicely that council staff really are indeed not underpaid as they always make themselves out to be.

And next month they'll be able to enjoy their Christmas bonuses and their extravagent office parties all paid for by the tax payer.

"Christmas bonuses and extravagent office parties"

You're sure about that, are you?

Of course he isn't, he hasn't got a clue!

One of my colleagues has dealt with staff at the council and has been informed that the council pay for all or part of their Christmas parties, as well as receiving a bonus.

So, you have no first hand knowledge to back up your claims. "A colleague said" is all you can offer. What a load of old pony.

DEMRICS wrote:

The Doosra wrote:

Vox Rationis wrote:

DEMRICS wrote:
So over 170 staff at the council are paid below the living wage. Which means less than 180 out of over 10,000 employees. Yet compare this with the private sector and the proportion of underpaid people is much much higher. Bar these 170 or so staff, this sums up nicely that council staff really are indeed not underpaid as they always make themselves out to be.

And next month they'll be able to enjoy their Christmas bonuses and their extravagent office parties all paid for by the tax payer.

"Christmas bonuses and extravagent office parties"

You're sure about that, are you?

Of course he isn't, he hasn't got a clue!

One of my colleagues has dealt with staff at the council and has been informed that the council pay for all or part of their Christmas parties, as well as receiving a bonus.

Well I don't doubt your comments DEMRICS as I wouldn't put it past council workers to enjoy their Christmas parties at the tax payer's expense, while I've heard something similar by a contractor who done some work at County Hall a few years ago around Christmas time. I wouldn't be surprised if these parties were all in work time too.

It still beggars belief that council staff still have the gall to whinge and moan about their pay in the current climate while so many other people are either in the same boat, or even worse off that our generously paid council staff. So many people in the private sector are struggling to make ends meet because of low wages and poor conditions, but they just keep their heads up and continue to work hard and do the best they can, while the council staff continue to whine. It makes you wonder what planet council workers continue to live on.

And as for council Christmas dos, I too have no doubt that us tax payers pay for it all. And for their expensive and luxury Christmas presents too through their salaries.

saucerer wrote:

DEMRICS wrote:

The Doosra wrote:

Vox Rationis wrote:

DEMRICS wrote:
So over 170 staff at the council are paid below the living wage. Which means less than 180 out of over 10,000 employees. Yet compare this with the private sector and the proportion of underpaid people is much much higher. Bar these 170 or so staff, this sums up nicely that council staff really are indeed not underpaid as they always make themselves out to be.

And next month they'll be able to enjoy their Christmas bonuses and their extravagent office parties all paid for by the tax payer.

"Christmas bonuses and extravagent office parties"

You're sure about that, are you?

Of course he isn't, he hasn't got a clue!

One of my colleagues has dealt with staff at the council and has been informed that the council pay for all or part of their Christmas parties, as well as receiving a bonus.

Well I don't doubt your comments DEMRICS as I wouldn't put it past council workers to enjoy their Christmas parties at the tax payer's expense, while I've heard something similar by a contractor who done some work at County Hall a few years ago around Christmas time. I wouldn't be surprised if these parties were all in work time too.

More unsubstantiated piffle.

WilkoJ wrote:
It still beggars belief that council staff still have the gall to whinge and moan about their pay in the current climate while so many other people are either in the same boat, or even worse off that our generously paid council staff. So many people in the private sector are struggling to make ends meet because of low wages and poor conditions, but they just keep their heads up and continue to work hard and do the best they can, while the council staff continue to whine. It makes you wonder what planet council workers continue to live on.

And as for council Christmas dos, I too have no doubt that us tax payers pay for it all. And for their expensive and luxury Christmas presents too through their salaries.

You have no proof of any of this - why? - because none exists.

When I worked for the County Council if we wanted a party we paid for it ourselves and held it in our own time.
We also did not receive a bonus.
We were however allowed to go home early on Christmas Eve, as long as you clocked out and made up the missing hours later.

New Kid on the Block wrote:
When I worked for the County Council if we wanted a party we paid for it ourselves and held it in our own time.
We also did not receive a bonus.
We were however allowed to go home early on Christmas Eve, as long as you clocked out and made up the missing hours later.

That was my experience - 30 years of it actually.

Ah the old council bashing massive out again....

Jealousy at its best again from those who have no idea.

Fact is none of these complaining on here believe they get value for money from the taxes they pay yet would of course never pay anymore to improve their service...

Council job? Pass thanks but I think some on here should apply...

New Kid on the Block wrote:
When I worked for the County Council if we wanted a party we paid for it ourselves and held it in our own time.
We also did not receive a bonus.
We were however allowed to go home early on Christmas Eve, as long as you clocked out and made up the missing hours later.

There you council basher's, that is the plain facts i know as my friends who work at the WCC have organised and paid for the xmas party themselves,

I cannot speak for managers though perhaps that's where the basher's should start?