News
NICS Comprehensive Pay and Grading Review
23/03/2011
This Bulletin is being issued to update members on the position of the above review.
Click here for pdf version.Docs/Bulletins/2011/B-03-11
This Bulletin is being issued to update members on the position of the above review. Members will be aware that under the negotiated settlement of the equal pay cases it was agreed to engage with NICS Management on a joint review of the NICS pay and grading structures.
Executive Officer II
NIPSA appreciates the anxiety of many members about the need to address a number of grading and pay related issues including anomalies in the current arrangements. Particular concern surrounds the position of members in the Executive Officer II (EOII) grade. For this reason NIPSA insisted that the commitment to prioritise examination of the EOII grade within the NICS pay and grading structures, as contained in the equal pay terms of settlement, was reflected in the terms of reference for the Comprehensive Pay and Grading Review and this has been achieved.
Other Priorities
It was also important for Trade Union Side to have incorporated into the terms of reference other priority areas requiring attention such as the length of pay scales, pay progression, overlapping pay bands and leap frogging etc. While it has taken some time to reach agreed terms of reference it is necessary to ensure they reflected the type of issues of concern to members. It is important that we have pay structures that eliminate overlapping of pay scales achieve progression in the shortest possible timescale to the rate of pay for the job (maxima) and return to proper pay relativity between grades.
Commencement of Programme of Work
Work has commenced on the first phase of the review relating to non industrial grades below the Senior Civil Service with NICS Management gathering relevant information across Departments. Discussions are also taking place on the revised grading guidance that will inform assessments of posts. While a Project Board Group has been established to oversee and manage the programme of work it will report to the Permanent Secretary Group – People Issues Sub Group. However Trade Union Side has also insisted that the oversight arrangements will not circumvent NIPSA’s negotiating rights on pay as provided for under the Central Whitley Council arrangements or the statutory rights of individuals. A copy of the final version of the terms of reference and indicative timescales is attached.
Equal Pay Update
While a significant number of the equal pay cases lodged with the Industrial Tribunal have been withdrawn following confirmation of receipt of payment by Claimants a number remain listed. We will be writing to a number of Claimants directly who while having received payment have not yet advised NIPSA in order to have their case withdrawn.
Members in the DOJ, PSNI and those having former service in the NIO/PSNI but now working in an NICS Department will be aware of the proceedings lodged in the County Court in an attempt to secure application of the full terms of the equal pay settlement. NIPSA has also recently presented evidence of the Assembly Committee for Justice in respect of these matters.
Work also continues in respect of seeking the application of the revised rates of pay in a number of other bodies including Non Departmental Public Bodies in which NICS rates of pay are applied.
Finally Trade Union Side has pressed NICS Management to arrange a meeting of the Joint Working Group to address the outcome of the Review of Technical Grades I and II. Trade Union Side will shortly be convening a meeting of representatives from Branches in which TGI and TGII members exist. This group of representatives will meet in advance of the Joint Working Group meetings with Management so that members are kept up to date with developments.
Yours sincerely
KIERAN BANNON
Assistant General Secretary
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