Parking Pensions – you couldn’t make it up

Last night I attended an emergency Pensions Fund Committee. The meeting was called a short notice because the Council were not informed until the end of February that NSL were going to use a sub contractor to carry out some of the work. Originally the council were informed it was a company called Parseq (based in Doncaster) but a week later they were informed it had changed to RR Donnelley (who are based in Lansing). If members can remember the now infamous TUPE commitments, one of which was access to the council pensions for any members transferring. The purpose of the meeting was to agree to allow RR Donnelley to become a member of the Council scheme. BUT, the Committee (i.e. councillors) were not aware of one simple fact. IF, any council workers accept the offer of a job with RR Donnelley they will NOT be allowed into the Pension Scheme. Yes, that is correct. The Committee was asking toa allow a sib contractor into the scheme, knowing that if the staff transfer to the sub contractor they would not be allowed to remain in the scheme. If anyone can make then sense of that “answers on a Postcard” to contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Confused? …It was obvious from the looks on the faces of councillors they were not aware of this and to be honest it is all completely mad to me. What then transpired was a discussion as to what the entitlements are for these workers at risk of redundancy as a result of the TUPE transfer out of the Council. Forty five minutes later and there was still no clarity as to the entitlement of the workers transferring. Legal and HR officers were asked to liaise with UNISON ASAP as I pointed out we are less than two weeks away from the TUPE transfer date.

UNISON view is that this transfer should be delayed until this matter is resolved.