Unison anger over £1-a-day parking charge
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UNISON has hit out over Moray Council's decision to charge its staff £1 a day to park outside its Elgin HQ and annex buildings.
The measure was passed last week following a debate between councillors.
The council expects the charges to generate £33,000 over the 2019/20 financial year.
Councillor Tim Eagle (Buckie, Conservative) apologised to the local authority's staff as he put forward the motion.
He said: "I don't like doing this at all – and I want to say sorry.
"We're not doing this to try to alienate you but we think this is the right way forward."
Suzanne Wright, Moray Unison branch secretary, said: "Tim Eagle, apologies don't wash. Any councillor who felt it was wrong to impose these charges on employees should have voted against them."
Unison had lobbied all 26 councillors without success and received two replies. The issue was fiercely debated at its monthly branch meeting on June 26 at which Ms Wright said: "This could be disproportionate against workers in HQ and annex buildings.
"Why are the other car parks in the council's estate – school car parks for instance, of which there are many – not going to pay a charge. Or are they next?"
Tony Donaghey, Moray Unison communications officer, said: "Despite the efforts of Moray Unison, council staff, and a negative response during the consultation period, the council still decided to pass this unfair tax, at the second time of asking, on to some of its lowest-paid workers in the council.
"This decision will not have done employee-employer relations any favours."
He added: "£33,000 is not a big saving. How much is it going to cost to police and administer the new policy?"
Mr Donaghey said staff who recently had a 3.5% pay rise now faced this being "cynically clawed back" by the council. And he vowed that Unison would press for the decision to be overturned.
