Dear Member
You have recently been sent via e-mail a survey from BCC in respect of Delivering Successful Performance (D.S.P.) We are urging you to complete it. You may recall when BCC brought this in to replace the Appraisal System, UNISON along with ASPECT (Association of Professionals in Education & Children’s Trust) agreed to trial for a year with the caveat of a robust review at the end of the year. The other Union AEP (Association of Educational Psychologists) has refused to implement this and have advised their members accordingly.
Therefore you will understand that in order that a robust review can be achieved there does need to be a high number of responses to the survey to ensure that a balanced view can be sought. We will be able to access the results in order to see that there is true accountability.
You may or may not be aware that it is BCC’s intention to introduce Contribution Based Pay. This is to replace the current pay award system, i.e. an annual cost of living award, where financially possible together with increments to those who are not at the top of their pay range. BCC’s proposal is to link a pay award to the outcome of an individual staff member’s D.S.P. Only those who achieve a certain level and perform to a certain degree will be eligible to receive a share of a financial pot. UNISON is not comfortable with this position and we are currently in negotiations with BCC, AEP and ASPECT.
We feel that had the Appraisal System been used consistently and appropriately throughout the organisation, together with the Policies for Performance, there would not have been the need to purchase the software, commission consultants for advice, or indeed all the associated costs to bring in D.S.P.
Your response to this survey is vital in deciding how we go forward with the negotiations and the future of your pay remuneration.
Yours Sincerely
PENNY GRAY
Branch Secretary
BOB WALTER
Branch Chairman
