Ealing Council owes thousands to workers
Park rangers owed around £250,000 following a wages review should be paid immediately according to a local councillor.
Their jobs were due to be re-evaluated in 2003 but this didn't happen until 2007. Following the review their grades went up by two pay scales - effective from May last year - but many are still waiting for the back-pay.
Around 20 staff are owed money by Ealing despite being told cash is set aside. Council chiefs have been accused of delaying.
Former ranger Steven Byrne, 29, is owed about £16,000. He is quoted in the Evening Standard as being "disgusted".
Council leader Jason Stacey claimed Unison, the rangers' union, blocked a deal because of a dispute over school staff also having pay re-evaluated. Unison said it was "legally obliged" to meet a collective agreement for all members.
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Ealing Common, Jon Ball, says the Council must pay up now:
"It is not good enough for Cllr Stacey to blame the Union. The Council should unilaterally pay the Rangers the back-pay they are entitled to as a result of the re-evaluation process. Our Park Rangers do great work for the community and are on relatively low wages. They deserve to be treated fairly by the Council."
November 14th, 2009
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