Pay frozen workers disgusted at hike to £107k for new Town Clerk

Chairman of UNITE in Londonderry Liam Gallagher said the proposed increase in the salary band for the Chief Executive’s post to £100k-£107.5k was a bitter pill to swallow for council workers who, he said, were facing an actual reduction in their salaries in real terms as a consequence of the pay freeze, rising pensions costs and the higher cost of living.

Mr Gallagher made the statement in light of a decision by Derry City councillors to raise the salary for the post from a £90k-£100k band to a £100k-£107.5k one.

Councillors had rowed back from a proposal to increase the salary of outgoing Chief Executive Valerie Watts - who is Aberdeen bound - by up to £14k in a bid to keep her in Londonderry.

It was feared the salary hike would have implications for other senior management posts, which it was suggested would also have to be increased in line with the Town Clerk’s post.

Speaking to the Sentinel Mr Gallagher said the move was particularly galling in light of the pay freeze and high cost of living being endured by ordinary staff.

He blasted: “99 per cent of all council workers are facing an actual pay decrease in real terms with the pay freeze, rising pension costs and increases in VAT and the general financial situation.”

He added: “The feeling amongst the ordinary worker is one of disgust. This is sending out the wrong message at the wrong time. People are trying to keep a roof over their heads in an extremely difficult financial situation.

“It’s a bitter pill to swallow and it sends out a message that we are not all in this together; that some people are better than others.”

A spokesperson for Derry city Council said: “In terms of the Town Clerk’s role, it is envisaged that the increased salary reflects the fact that the candidate will lead one of the largest Council in Northern Ireland and oversee projects such as the City of Culture 2013 and major regeneration development plans for the city, in partnership with other statutory agencies.”

But Mr Gallagher disputed this asking why a new Town Clerk should receive an increased salary to oversee major redevelopment in Londonderry when the Ilex regeneration firm was charged with the same brief.

“What is the Chief Executive of Ilex being paid for? And why set up a City of Culture Company to prepare for 2013 if the Town Clerk is to receive a salary increase to take on these responsibilities?” he asked.

He continued: “How can it be justified using ratepayers’ money to fund this in the current climate? Ordinary workers, the people who empty the bins, who dig the graves, they are crying out: is this for real?”

A Council spokesperson pointed out that the review of the Town Clerk and Chief Executive Salary was specific to that post and was carried out independently of the “Transforming Derry City Council” process.

“Transforming Derry city Council” is the proposed radical shake-up of Derry City Council that will result in 20 management posts being shaved from the local authority’s payroll and its streamlining under three directorates.

It was originally unveiled by the Town Clerk in 2009. The spokesperson said: “The Council remains committed to progressing with the proposals in the document with employees and unions.”

Back in 2009 Mrs Watts said the Council shake-up would involve management restructuring only and would not affect front line services or lower grades in any shape or form.

She estimated the value of the deleted posts at £800,000. Crucially she envisaged the slashing of management positions being achieved solely through voluntary redundancies and natural turnover or wastage.

There will be no compulsory redundancies, she promised.