Union leaders concerned over changes to Cumbrian Council's payroll service

Union leaders in Cumbria have expressed concerns that lower paid workers could suffer due to upcoming changes to the County Council's payroll service.

BBC news reports that Cumbrian County Council is set to make a significant change to its system of payroll administration, paying all of its staff monthly rather than fortnightly or weekly. The new system will apply to all 4,000 of the Council's staff, though the majority of those who will see a difference in their payroll processing system will be in roles such as carers, cleaners and caterers rather than in administration jobs.

The Council says that it could save £117,500 every year due to the changes, as it will only have to administer two pay dates a month rather than the current 14 - the result of a wide variety of payroll processing dates across the council's workforce.

The change is due to begin at the end of this month and all staff whose pay dates will be changed have been written to.

"By making these changes to our payroll systems we'll be more efficient and more effective," said Councillor Liz Mallinson. "It is a big piece of work involving 4,000 staff and it's important we get it right."

Whilst the council has made an optional interest-free loan available to employees who need help making the transition from weekly or fortnightly pay to a monthly salary, representatives of Unison have expressed concern about how it will affect low paid members of staff.

"We have huge concerns for those of our members who are low paid and live week to week on their money," said Debbie Hamilton, Cumbria Country branch secretary of Unison. "The pressure is going to be felt by those people at the bottom end of the scale."