Co-operative College adopts equitable pay system
Employees of the Co-operative College are to benefit from an equitable pay system as part of a rehaul of its reward and recognition strategy.
The College has created a pay pot of 2.5 per cent from implementation of the national agreement negotiated between the co-operative trade union NACO and the CEA (Co-operative Employers Association). Each member of staff will benefit from an increase of 1.25% to their base pay, plus a flat increase to their annual salary of £450, prorated to their hours, meaning that more of the pot is available for lower-paid staff. The changes, which were accepted unanimously in a ballot of staff members of NACO, will be applied from 1 July 2012.
College Principal Mervyn Wilson commented: “Recent years have seen a series of reports showing the growing inequality gap in the UK. That gap has been widening through excessive board room pay awards that are becoming a major scandal. But flat rate % increases do not address the issue so we felt it appropriate to set a clear target for the salary range at the College, with no employee receiving more than five times the pay of the lowest paid full time equivalent, and quickly work towards that target. This year’s actions are a first step in that process.”
NACO General Secretary Neil Buist said: “This is a great start to the introduction of a fair and transparent reward system for members at the Co-operative College. The positive manner in which the Leadership Team has entered into dialogue on this matter was recognised by the membership as 100% of those voting agreed to accept the equitable pay system for 2012. This is the first stage of an overhaul of the entire reward and recognition system and NACO looks forward to working closely with the membership to achieve the right systems to support the College in the future, encompassing salary bands, job evaluation and pay systems.”
Emma Willder, Vice Principal – Finance & Resources, said: “The fact that staff have unanimously agreed to a restructuring of our pay award system at the Co-operative College demonstrates that we put the co-operative values into action at each level of our organisation, and shows how the values resonate in every part of our work.
“Last summer the College was proud to achieve the Investors in People award silver award, and we believe the equitable pay settlement builds on our commitment to make the Co-operative College a fair and supportive environment in which to work. By adopting a fairer pay system, we are recognising the valuable contribution each member of staff makes to the College and rewarding the people at the heart of the College, who make it such a unique organisation.”
Published On: June 18, 2012
Written By: Natalie
Filed Under: About • Co-operative Learning • Co-operatives Globally • Our Heritage • Researching Co-operatives • Schools and Young People
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