25....
It is speculative what direction reform is likely to proceed in. As
far as pay structure goes, the introduction of job evaluation could go
some way to re-establishing the rationality of internal relativities.
But it would not resolve the problems emanating from the "orbit of
coercive comparison" with the private sector.
The numerical expansion of staff relations practitioners and the
elevation of their status is a possible development. Such quantitative
and qualitative growth would plausibly affect both the official and
the staff side.
Moreover, the institution of a grievance procedure and the establishment
of a junior Civil Service-Council are also considered realistic options
by some senior civil servants. Further, a form of permanent arbitration
might evolve from the Committee of Inquiry-provisions in order to settle
disputes which prove intractable at the SCSC or at the DCCs.
Aside from procedural questions, there remains the issue of cumulative
union pressure to move from consultation to negotiation.. One way of
accomplishing this would be to introduce "productivity bargaining" into
the SCSC. Agreements which would award higher earnings for staff and
permit the more efficient utilization of manpower in the service would
infuse authentic bargaining content into the SCSC proceedings.
barriers to such an innovation are formidable in view of the civil
Yet the
service's present role as the creator and maintainer of employment
opportunities-which do not necessarily possess a rationale in terms of
the demand for labour.