Council accused of 'bullying' education professionals

The association warned that hundreds of vulnerable young people could be put at risk because of changes to contracts, which include stopping workers’ right to be paid for the first two days of sick leave. But under the regulations set out by the Health Professions Council, educational psychologists are not allowed to see children or other clients if they are unwell, meaning they must take days off for even minor illnesses.

The council has given a deadline of today (31 August) for contracts to be signed with extensions until 16 September only in exceptional circumstances, prompting the association to criticise the council for bullying employees into losing money or compromising professional standards.

Kate Fallon, general secretary of the Association of Educational Psychologists, said: "Some of our members have already signed these contracts out of fear for their jobs. The council knows it's in the wrong, and its blatant effort to conduct public business in private says as much. 

"There is no place for this kind of bullying behaviour and the council should be absolutely clear that we will stand our ground and defend both our members and the vulnerable young people of Hertfordshire to avoid a precedent that could affect the entire country."

The association said it is considering legal action against the council despite ongoing talks between local union leaders and council officials. The group has also voiced concern that the steps taken in Hertfordshire could set a precedent for the rest of the country, claiming that Shropshire Council has cited Hertfordshire as a positive example of employment changes.

A spokesman for Hertfordshire County Council said: "We value the vital work of our educational psychologists. Many of our staff work with vulnerable clients and children and the changes to the sick pay scheme will apply to all of them. All staff will be able to request annual leave instead of taking unpaid sick leave.

"We have been set a tough savings target of £200m by 2014 to meet the financial pressures on our finances. In order to minimise the impact on jobs and front-line services part of these savings will be met by reducing the pay bill."

The spokesman added that an agreement had been reached with the Community and Youth Workers Union and Unison over changes to employment terms for more than 24,000 staff that will save £10m per year.

"We entered into negotiations with the recognised trade unions for an additional 220 employees, including educational psychologists, in March 2010, but have been unable to reach an agreement over changes to sick pay," he said.

"As a result, new individual contracts, which include the same changes as other staff contracts, have been offered for acceptance by September 16, 2011. A deadline is necessary to allow time for the necessary legal processes to be completed without the risk of a break in service for our clients or staff."