22 February 2002
With the first eight authorities due to set up Almos from April, there are doubts whether employees who move from housing departments will have their local government service recognised if they eventually leave the Almo to work for a council or another Almo.
Terms and conditions of staff who move from housing departments to work for a registered social landlord following stock transfers are protected only while they remain with the RSL. Employers and unions were expecting the protection for Almo employees to be greater because the organisations are owned by local authorities.
But there are concerns over the validity of a 'redundancy modification order', held by the Department of Trade and Industry, which governs rules for all public sector workers.
In spite of lobbying by the eight councils, the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions has so far declined to ask the DTI to designate Almos as 'scheduled bodies' within the order – a move which would offer more protection to staff transferring from a council, as well as to any new employees.
The DTI insists that the order offers sufficient protection, while the DTLR is understood to be taking legal advice.
Colin Meech, national officer at public sector union Unison, said it was up to Local Government Secretary Stephen Byers to clarify the situation and confirm whether the order covers continuity of service.
The Almos, added Meech, were also the first chance for Labour to demonstrate that there was not going to be a 'two-tier workforce' when new employees join an organisation that has taken over services from a local authority.
John Bloxsom, housing regeneration manager at Derby City Council, said his authority was anxious for the position to be resolved before the council switches 15,000 homes to a new Almo in April. 'We are asking the government to look at this as a matter of urgency,' he said.
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