MEMBERS of the largest union at South Lakeland District Council have agreed to lodge a formal grievance with the authority following a decision to introduce a partial pay freeze, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate.

Officers from Unison claim the council is in breach of contract with the staff, and that an employment tribunal, or industrial action, were possibilities.

However, SLDC acting chief executive Mike Jones, who held large-scale briefings with staff this week, said the authority had been advised it was not in breach of contract.

The conflict flared because of a decision by SLDC to freeze annual increments paid to reflect staff's knowledge, skills and ability. It was judged necessary after it emerged that a new pay and grading structure would cost the council £1.6 million £1 million more than originally estimated.

The freeze does not affect the nationally negotiated cost of living rise.

Unison regional officer Keith Dovaston said officers had met with around 150 of their 400 members and there was almost full agreement to submit the grievance. The grievance would have to be considered by members of SLDC, Mr Dovaston said, and was also part of the process should union members decide to take their case to a tribunal or consider industrial action.

"We are saying to the council we are unhappy with what you have done to the members, the members are angry about it, and we want to ask them (councillors) to reconsider their position.

"We have advised our members that our advice is they (SLDC) are in breach of contract and that we do have a case for going to tribunal."

Mr Jones said that he and council leader Colin Hodgson met with all staff at South Lakeland House on Wednesday, to explain the council's position. Staff asked what Mr Jones described as "searching" questions.

"We have taken significant advice that tells us the process we are undertaking is legal and is fair and the council will have to see this through," he said. "We just have to protect the budget next year.

"People are extremely disappointed that things they have been promised now look to be taken away and that's never a good situation, but I think we had a fair reception."

Mr Jones said SLDC could not unilaterally change employees' contracts, and the staff would be asked to agree to vary their contracts following a consultation process.

Mr Jones stressed that although some staff would lose out, others would gain, and that £600,000 was being added to the pay bill.

l Three senior staff members, believed to be chief executive Philip Cunliffe, finance director Jack Jones and human resources manager Andrew Taylor, were sus-pended from the council in April, after the £1 million budget shortfall was revealed. The suspensions were said to be "precautionary", and should not imply misconduct. Mr Taylor has since resigned from the council.