Concerns have been made over a council move to temporarily scrap fortnightly overtime payments amid fears it will leave lower paid workers struggling.
Non-contractual overtime payments will now be paid every four weeks to ease pressure on payroll staff amid claims the department was “on its knees”.
West Dunbartonshire Council made the decision following agreement by the trade unions.
Councillor Jim Bollan claims the move is due to a “failure” of senior officials to recruit staff, saying 1300 have left in the last two years.
He said it had caused “extreme stress” for overworked staff.
David Scott, of GMB, said unions had to agree to it because the whole council almost didn’t get paid earlier this year.
The local authority denies this but says it’s essential to support payroll employees, who have experienced “significant increases” in workload.
David said: “About three months ago, the whole council very nearly didn’t get paid due to a combination of people retiring and leaving the payroll department.
“The department has been on its knees.
“The council suggested rather than pay out the non-contractual fortnightly, they would do it once a month to decrease their workload and that it would be on a temporary basis.
“We have members in payroll and have to support them as well.
“We don’t know how long it will be but have asked for a three-month review.”
He added: “It has caused upset. Lower paid female workers, such as cleaners and carers are predominantly going to be hit by this.
“However, we didn’t want to be in another scenario where the whole council almost didn’t get paid. We couldn’t risk it happening again.”
A former shop steward told the Lennox Herald said one carer had phoned him in tears.
He said: “I’ve had a few carers on the phone who are really upset, including a single mum who relies on it.
“There’s been no union consultation with them whatsoever.
“Home carers get fuel allowance and they get that paid in their wages but will now have to wait longer for that.
“They need that money to get to work and it’s even more important with the price of fuel nearly hitting £2 a litre.
“They will still get paid their contractual pay fortnightly but it’s the overtime many of them rely on.”
Leven councillor Jim claimed failing to recruit the necessary staff was to blame.
He said: “The move by management to monthly payments for overtime, not wages, for the next 12 months is mainly due to a failure of senior management to recruit staff after the council lost 1,300 workers in the last two years.
“The payroll section is understaffed and overworked, which is causing extreme stress levels for the remaining staff in that particular section, and others across the council.”
A spokesman for West Dunbartonshire Council said: “Following an agreement with trades union, employees on this pay schedule were advised that any non-contractual overtime payments will now be paid every four weeks, commencing July 14.
“This change is essential to sustain the council’s statutory pay obligations and support payroll employees, who have experienced significant increases in workload due to unprecedented demand post-pandemic.
“Any claim that employees almost didn’t receive their pay is false. All employees were paid as scheduled and there was no concern otherwise.”
