Pay rises and bonuses for some, but hundreds of jobs will vanish

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Council staff are getting pay rises and some a bonus too - but hundreds of jobs will disappear in the merger of eight councils into the Super City.

A 2.5 per cent wage rise is due on November 1 and another 2.5 per cent next year under a new collective agreement for Public Service Association members who will work for the Auckland Council.

Each council has also carried out its annual pay review under the existing collective taking them to October 31 when the councils ceases to exist.

In addition, some existing council staff who transfer to Auckland Council will get a further pay rise when their pay is "harmonised" with a common rate, because each council has varying conditions of employment.

Some staff also get a bonus for the year gone to June 30, if it is provided for in existing terms of employment.

Yesterday, North Shore City Council chief executive John Brockies confirmed pay rises and bonuses given by his council.

The rise depended on what collective agreement covered the workers. But in the North Shore council's case, with an annual salary budget of about $67 million, the review resulted in an additional 2.83 per cent.

The council has 800 full-time positions but employs 1300, including part timers.

Mr Brockies said each council carried out its normal annual salary review by agreement with the Auckland Transition Agency.

Payment of a staff bonus for reaching the year's objectives was agreed to when conditions were reviewed in March last year.

The interim pay adjustment on November 1 is for members of the collective who were below a new market median for their particular position and salary band.

It was linked to length of service. For example, staff in a role for five years or more would get 100 per cent of the new median pay rate. People below that mark will be put on a step according to their experience. Those getting above the median will stay on that rate.

Earlier this month, PSA president Richard Wagstaff announced existing agreements would be replaced by three new collective agreements covering Auckland Council, Auckland Transport Agency and Auckland Art Gallery

This accounts for more than 2500 members, including parking wardens, building inspectors and library and call centre workers. The agreements did not cover senior managers.

The Northern Amalgamated Works Union represents about 800 staff, including zookeepers, gardeners and park rangers. Union secretary Ray Bianchi said the union had an agreement with Auckland Council to carry on as normal and negotiate each agreement as it came up for renewal.

Hundreds of council workers do not know whether they have jobs either in the Auckland Council or council-controlled organisations.