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COUNCIL WORKERS VOTE FOR STRIKE ACTION
Council workers are set to take sustained strike action after voting in favour of walkouts in a dispute over pay.
Members of Unison in England, Wales and Northern Ireland voted by 55% to take industrial action after rejecting a 2.45% pay offer.
The union's negotiators will decide on Tuesday what action to recommend to the national strike committee later this week.
Dave Prentis, the union's general secretary, said: "This is a solid vote for action and a clear message to the local government employers that our members are willing to fight for a decent pay rise."
Mr Prentis continued: "They are fed up and angry that they are expected to accept pay cut after pay cut while bread and butter prices go through the roof.
"Most of them are low-paid workers, who are hit hardest by food and fuel price hikes, and they see the unfairness of boardroom bonanzas and big City bonuses."
Heather Wakefield, Unison's head of local government, said: "The employers should be in no doubt: The members have voted for a programme of sustained and escalating strike action because they are sick of being treated as the poor relations of the public sector. Their case for a realistic pay increase is indisputable."
Unison said 250,000 council workers earned less than £6.50 an hour, and most of them were women.
The unions were claiming a 6% pay rise or 50p an hour, whichever was greater.
Almost 600,000 workers were balloted, including social workers, housing benefit workers, teaching assistants, dinner ladies, cooks, cleaners, architects and refuse collectors.
2:43pm Monday 23rd June 2008
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CommentPosted by: Steve Dunn on 4:45pm Mon 23 Jun 08
This is the beginning of the end for gordon brown
This is the beginning of the end for gordon brown
Posted by: gareth, newport on 4:49pm Mon 23 Jun 08
[quote]Members of Unison...voted by 55% to take industrial action... after rejecting a 2.45% pay offer.[/quote]
The vote was actually 55% for and 45% aagainst; which is a win by 10%, not 55%.
Do I need a life?Answers by postard.
Members of Unison...voted by 55% to take industrial action... after rejecting a 2.45% pay offer.
The vote was actually 55% for and 45% aagainst; which is a win by 10%, not 55%.
Do I need a life?Answers by postard.
Posted by: Charles, Monmouth on 5:10pm Mon 23 Jun 08
Having caved in to the Shell tanker drivers excessive demands, we can now expect strike threats from any Union that can disrupt the country. Watch out for the power workers,rail and other transport unions. The union leaders must be licking their lips at the thought of strikes and endless media interviews in which they can claim that their members "were provoked"
Having caved in to the Shell tanker drivers excessive demands, we can now expect strike threats from any Union that can disrupt the country. Watch out for the power workers,rail and other transport unions. The union leaders must be licking their lips at the thought of strikes and endless media interviews in which they can claim that their members "were provoked"
Posted by: BOB, NEWPORT on 6:14pm Mon 23 Jun 08
[quote][bold]Charles[/bold] wrote:
Having caved in to the Shell tanker drivers excessive demands, we can now expect strike threats from any Union that can disrupt the country. Watch out for the power workers,rail and other transport unions. The union leaders must be licking their lips at the thought of strikes and endless media interviews in which they can claim that their members "were provoked" [/quote] Most of then are pretty well paid for the type of job they are doing and they get a gold plated final salary pension that alone adds about 10% to there salaries when comparied to the private sector.
The pay rise they are being offered is in line with what most people are getting.
If Gordon caves into this and I suspect he will it will be then end of the road for him. There is no money to pay for big rises so he would have to put up taxes and that will not go down well.
Its not as though council workers are overworked its more they have to little to do.
If they want more money they will have to be more productive and the headcount reduced. I cannot see them liking that.
I suspect the Uniouns have realiased that Brown is a very weak PM.
Charles wrote:
Having caved in to the Shell tanker drivers excessive demands, we can now expect strike threats from any Union that can disrupt the country. Watch out for the power workers,rail and other transport unions. The union leaders must be licking their lips at the thought of strikes and endless media interviews in which they can claim that their members "were provoked"
Most of then are pretty well paid for the type of job they are doing and they get a gold plated final salary pension that alone adds about 10% to there salaries when comparied to the private sector.
The pay rise they are being offered is in line with what most people are getting.
If Gordon caves into this and I suspect he will it will be then end of the road for him. There is no money to pay for big rises so he would have to put up taxes and that will not go down well.
Its not as though council workers are overworked its more they have to little to do.
If they want more money they will have to be more productive and the headcount reduced. I cannot see them liking that.
I suspect the Uniouns have realiased that Brown is a very weak PM.
Posted by: tim, Magor on 6:42pm Mon 23 Jun 08
With the exception of binmen I don"t think you will notice when they are on strike.I reckon we could get rid of most of them.
With the exception of binmen I don"t think you will notice when they are on strike.I reckon we could get rid of most of them.
Posted by: cld, valleys on 7:30pm Mon 23 Jun 08
I agree local government are pretty useless....but, when they do cut back on services (i.e jobs) we complain that we are getting less for our council tax. Its a funny old world.
I agree local government are pretty useless....but, when they do cut back on services (i.e jobs) we complain that we are getting less for our council tax. Its a funny old world.
Posted by: welshflinty, Crosskeys on 8:16pm Mon 23 Jun 08
Sack the lot of them.Most do nothing anyway.
Sack the lot of them.Most do nothing anyway.
Posted by: TexasTaff, Texas, USA on 9:19pm Mon 23 Jun 08
I wish somebody from UNISON would try and justify this strike action. Do they (council workers) put their lives on the line daily? Do they work unsociable hours in poor conditions? They are the poor relations in the public sector because the same demands are not made upon them as with our nurses, paramedics, firefighters, police, etc. If they are unhappy with the pay they are receiving for the jobs they are doing, show them the door... there's always somebody willing to take their place. The taxpayer must not be held to ransom over public services such as they provide.
I wish somebody from UNISON would try and justify this strike action. Do they (council workers) put their lives on the line daily? Do they work unsociable hours in poor conditions? They are the poor relations in the public sector because the same demands are not made upon them as with our nurses, paramedics, firefighters, police, etc. If they are unhappy with the pay they are receiving for the jobs they are doing, show them the door... there's always somebody willing to take their place. The taxpayer must not be held to ransom over public services such as they provide.
Posted by: corpamassive, Corpa on 9:37pm Mon 23 Jun 08
Load of rubbish
Posted by: haybuff, newport on 10:00pm Mon 23 Jun 08
As someone who actually works for a local council, I won't be going on -strike because I actually believe we are relatively well-paid for what we do and we have good terms and conditions. However, if meaningless and overpaid posts like those of 'strategic'' and 'corporate directors were axed, there would be more money to fund much-needed pay rises for our poorly-paid, front-line staff.
As someone who actually works for a local council, I won't be going on -strike because I actually believe we are relatively well-paid for what we do and we have good terms and conditions. However, if meaningless and overpaid posts like those of 'strategic'' and 'corporate directors were axed, there would be more money to fund much-needed pay rises for our poorly-paid, front-line staff.
Posted by: Welsh_Lass, Gwent on 10:32pm Mon 23 Jun 08
[quote]Do they (council workers) put their lives on the line daily? Do they work unsociable hours in poor conditions?[/quote] As an employee of NCC I can answer that Taff - YES some of us do. As you are in USA then the strike action will, obviously, not afect you, but it could have huge implications on the residents of Newport.
Do they (council workers) put their lives on the line daily? Do they work unsociable hours in poor conditions?
As an employee of NCC I can answer that Taff - YES some of us do. As you are in USA then the strike action will, obviously, not afect you, but it could have huge implications on the residents of Newport.
Posted by: TexasTaff, Texas, USA on 11:43pm Mon 23 Jun 08
[quote][bold]Welsh_Lass[/bold] wrote:
[quote]Do they (council workers) put their lives on the line daily? Do they work unsociable hours in poor conditions?[/quote] As an employee of NCC I can answer that Taff - YES some of us do. As you are in USA then the strike action will, obviously, not afect you, but it could have huge implications on the residents of Newport. [/quote] Irrespective of where I currently live, and I'm here on terminal leave following 22 years loyal service in the British Army, I still pay UK Income Tax and Council Tax. I think that still may entitle me to an opinion, as these issues still affect me indirectly. And can you please explain how NCC(?) members put their lives on the line?
Welsh_Lass wrote:
Do they (council workers) put their lives on the line daily? Do they work unsociable hours in poor conditions?
As an employee of NCC I can answer that Taff - YES some of us do. As you are in USA then the strike action will, obviously, not afect you, but it could have huge implications on the residents of Newport.
Irrespective of where I currently live, and I'm here on terminal leave following 22 years loyal service in the British Army, I still pay UK Income Tax and Council Tax. I think that still may entitle me to an opinion, as these issues still affect me indirectly. And can you please explain how NCC(?) members put their lives on the line?
Posted by: Mike, Newport on 8:43am Tue 24 Jun 08
ok. I have to get this off my chest. I'm reading a lot of nonsense on this site and as has been mentioned we're all entitled to an opinion. Firstly, i can tell you personally that many council staff get threatened or abused day in and day out. I get it every day without fail over the phone and regularly face to face. The teams in social services have to deal with drug users and violent people each and every day. Many have been attacked and injured. Secondly, i read that someone said will they notice? Who's going to pay housing benefit? Who's going to fix council houses? Who's going to get schools cleaned so they can open? Residential homes? Etc etc etc. As far as pay goes - i know that the likes of byron davies who is head of wales biggest council gets a huge pay packet - but if he were in charge of a private sector company of a similar size he'd get probably 3 to 4 times more in salary and then millions in bonus etc. The council does have a reputation for lazy people - i can't argue there. But please don't tarnish all of us with the same brush. I work very hard every day for what is frankly a pittance. There are many council staff earning less than 6.50 an hour. It seems that the whole world has a huge downer on the council. Until they want something off them.
ok. I have to get this off my chest. I'm reading a lot of nonsense on this site and as has been mentioned we're all entitled to an opinion. Firstly, i can tell you personally that many council staff get threatened or abused day in and day out. I get it every day without fail over the phone and regularly face to face. The teams in social services have to deal with drug users and violent people each and every day. Many have been attacked and injured. Secondly, i read that someone said will they notice? Who's going to pay housing benefit? Who's going to fix council houses? Who's going to get schools cleaned so they can open? Residential homes? Etc etc etc. As far as pay goes - i know that the likes of byron davies who is head of wales biggest council gets a huge pay packet - but if he were in charge of a private sector company of a similar size he'd get probably 3 to 4 times more in salary and then millions in bonus etc. The council does have a reputation for lazy people - i can't argue there. But please don't tarnish all of us with the same brush. I work very hard every day for what is frankly a pittance. There are many council staff earning less than 6.50 an hour. It seems that the whole world has a huge downer on the council. Until they want something off them.
Posted by: TexasTaff, Texas, USA on 5:24pm Tue 24 Jun 08
My point is that the taxpayer already feels that he/she is not getting value for money as it is and a pay rise for council workers will not equate to an improved service or services. Why are services such as refuse collection, school dinners cooking and supervision and others still in the public sector? Why not save some money and invite commercial bidders to undertake these functions and let the market forces do what local government currently is unable to do... just a thought...
My point is that the taxpayer already feels that he/she is not getting value for money as it is and a pay rise for council workers will not equate to an improved service or services. Why are services such as refuse collection, school dinners cooking and supervision and others still in the public sector? Why not save some money and invite commercial bidders to undertake these functions and let the market forces do what local government currently is unable to do... just a thought...
Posted by: cld, valleys on 9:12pm Tue 24 Jun 08
Market forces....like the hospital cleaning contracts you mean. Yeah, cos thats such a success!!!
Market forces....like the hospital cleaning contracts you mean. Yeah, cos thats such a success!!!
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