British Railways Board Company news

BRB (Residuary) Ltd. inform me that only about 70 people in the two organisations are currently paid 4-weekly and the SRA has decided that it is uneconomical to continue to provide two payroll systems.

As a result it has been decided that all BRB (Residuary) Ltd. and SRA staff will be paid monthly with effect from 1 April 2004. The last 4 weekly payroll will be run for the 4 weeks ending 27 March 2004 and this will be paid, as is usual, one week in arrears on 2 April 2004.

BRB (Residuary) Ltd. advise me that Northgate will run the payroll on the last working day of each month, therefore on 30 April members will be paid for the month of April together with the period 28-31 (i.e. 5 weeks money) with appropriate deductions. Thereafter, payment will be made on the last working day of each month.

At a recent meeting with BRB (Residuary) Ltd. I was advised that this date has been deliberately chosen to cause the minimum inconvenience as at this point the two pay systems converge as closely as possible.

It was explained that a months money would be one twelfth of the annual salary and a days pay would be calculated as 1/260 of the annual salary.

I was assured that all existing deductions would continue to be made, with the payment adjusted to a monthly basis. I was particularly assured that Pensions Management processes were compatible with a monthly pay cycle.

BRB stated that if any member experienced any financial hardship as a result of the change to the payroll cycle the Company would deal with the problem sympathetically.

I am aware that individual’s contracts entitle them to be paid 4 weekly. BRB have asked TSSA to enter into a collective agreement to change to a monthly payroll as a collective agreement avoids the company having to seek each individual’s consent to the change.

Before I respond to the Company I should be pleased to receive the views of members.