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Gwent hit by strike action
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| Staff and union organisers leaving the civic centre to protest for fair pay |
AROUND 9,000 striking public sector workers brought many Gwent services to a halt yesterday.
Along with more than 100 closed schools; residents found doors of libraries and leisure centres locked, cemeteries closed and funeral services put on hold, due to a strike called by members of the Unison and Unite trade unions.
Unison's Gwent regional organiser, Dominic Macaskill, said 90 per cent of their 10,000 Gwent members were taking part in the two-day walkout.
A Newport council spokeswoman estimated 70 per cent of staff had attended work as normal yesterday, refuse collections ran as usual and housing offices remained open, but 26 city schools were fully shut and eight partially closed.
Tredegar House and other parks in the city were also closed.
In Blaenau Gwent all six libraries were closed, with Cwm cemetery the only one open in the borough.
Brynmawr Funeral Director, Roger Hughes said having to put back funerals was causing "a lot of discomfort for us and families."
County Hall in Cwmbran, headquarters to both Monmouthshire and Torfaen councils.
Monitor, the company who run the building is also on strike, meaning any workers who might have crossed the picket line would not be able to do so. So many reduced services were run from other locations.
Leisure centres in Monmouth and Chepstow shut their doors at 2:30pm, and the same will happen today.
Caerphilly Council was also operating in skeleton mode, with 26 schools shut.
Public sector workers are striking because of a 2.45 per cent pay rise they've been offered.
Unison workers are seeking a six per cent rise which they say is more in line with rising prices of food and fuel.
| Emergency contacts: |
Newport 01633 656656
Blaenau Gwent 01485 311556
Torfaen 01495 762200
Caerphilly 01443 875500
Monmouthshire 01594 836833
|
8:49am Thursday 17th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: man of newport, Newport on 10:22am Thu 17 Jul 08
Knowing that these people have stopped funerals going ahead has lost them any support that I was giving them.
How distasteful and selfish can someone get? Yes, you can all harp on about how "I know someone who is only on £16k a year blah blah blah", but what about these grieving families???
You are even more self absorbed than the tanker drivers were. They were just greedy, but you've gone beyond that and crossed a line that is more important than any picket line.
Council workers or not, you should have put things in place so that at least funerals could go ahead. Parents need to bury their children and vice versa so that they can get on with grieving.
You have gone down a hell of a lot in my estimation you selfish people. So much for the caring society.
Knowing that these people have stopped funerals going ahead has lost them any support that I was giving them.
How distasteful and selfish can someone get? Yes, you can all harp on about how "I know someone who is only on £16k a year blah blah blah", but what about these grieving families???
You are even more self absorbed than the tanker drivers were. They were just greedy, but you've gone beyond that and crossed a line that is more important than any picket line.
Council workers or not, you should have put things in place so that at least funerals could go ahead. Parents need to bury their children and vice versa so that they can get on with grieving.
You have gone down a hell of a lot in my estimation you selfish people. So much for the caring society.
Posted by: welshpaula, newport on 10:38am Thu 17 Jul 08
on a much lesser note than above !
can someone please explain why the lifts in the car park in john frost square were turned off due to industrial action ! the first notice was on the lift no prior notice i parked on floor 7 and had to walk up and down the ramps very dangerous ! with a sleeping 16 month old in a pram !
looked fully staffed to me ! disgusting treatment
on a much lesser note than above !
can someone please explain why the lifts in the car park in john frost square were turned off due to industrial action ! the first notice was on the lift no prior notice i parked on floor 7 and had to walk up and down the ramps very dangerous ! with a sleeping 16 month old in a pram !
looked fully staffed to me ! disgusting treatment
Posted by: CaB, South Wales on 10:46am Thu 17 Jul 08
Industrial action is one of the few weapons that working people have to fight back against their employers. In some instances, there are drawbacks, which is unfortunate, but this is not their fault! The government have refused to negotiate, and have left the unions with no alternative
Industrial action is one of the few weapons that working people have to fight back against their employers. In some instances, there are drawbacks, which is unfortunate, but this is not their fault! The government have refused to negotiate, and have left the unions with no alternative
Posted by: Steve., Newport on 11:12am Thu 17 Jul 08
Whilst I agree that the lack of facilities is unfortunate, I have to agree with the strikers. With the cost of living rising on a monthly basis and every major outgoing increasing to offer a pay increase of 2.45% is poor but to make it across 3 years is [bold]insulting[/bold] .
Whilst I agree that the lack of facilities is unfortunate, I have to agree with the strikers. With the cost of living rising on a monthly basis and every major outgoing increasing to offer a pay increase of 2.45% is poor but to make it across 3 years is
insulting .
Posted by: Steve., Newport on 11:13am Thu 17 Jul 08
Whilst I agree that the lack of facilities is unfortunate, I have to agree with the strikers. With the cost of living rising on a monthly basis and every major outgoing increasing to offer a pay increase of 2.45% is poor but to make it across 3 years is [bold]insulting[/bold] .
Whilst I agree that the lack of facilities is unfortunate, I have to agree with the strikers. With the cost of living rising on a monthly basis and every major outgoing increasing to offer a pay increase of 2.45% is poor but to make it across 3 years is
insulting .
Posted by: patsyk, cornwall on 11:16am Thu 17 Jul 08
Speaking as an expatriate from Wales, I'd just like to point out that there are thousands of people living all over the country, certainly in Cornwall, to whom 16k a year would be a fantastic amount of money! We all appreciate the hard work of council employees and miss them when they're not there, but there are people doing vital jobs, working shifts and unsociable hours who still do not manage to earn that much.
Speaking as an expatriate from Wales, I'd just like to point out that there are thousands of people living all over the country, certainly in Cornwall, to whom 16k a year would be a fantastic amount of money! We all appreciate the hard work of council employees and miss them when they're not there, but there are people doing vital jobs, working shifts and unsociable hours who still do not manage to earn that much.
Posted by: man of newport, Newport on 11:18am Thu 17 Jul 08
But you [bold]can't[/bold] condone what they have done in regard to preventing people from burying their children/parents etc.
Fine, take your action, but be very careful who you hit. This part of their ill-thought-out strategy is distasteful and barely half a step away from disgusting.
Strike all you want, but target less sensitive areas than funerals.
But you
can't condone what they have done in regard to preventing people from burying their children/parents etc.
Fine, take your action, but be very careful who you hit. This part of their ill-thought-out strategy is distasteful and barely half a step away from disgusting.
Strike all you want, but target less sensitive areas than funerals.
Posted by: man of newport, Newport on 11:22am Thu 17 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Steve.[/bold] wrote:
Whilst I agree that the lack of facilities is unfortunate, I have to agree with the strikers. With the cost of living rising on a monthly basis and every major outgoing increasing to offer a pay increase of 2.45% is poor but to make it across 3 years is [bold]insulting[/bold] .[/quote] No Steve, having no funeral facilities isn't "unfortunate" at all, it's nothing less than [bold]appalling[/bold] .
Steve. wrote:
Whilst I agree that the lack of facilities is unfortunate, I have to agree with the strikers. With the cost of living rising on a monthly basis and every major outgoing increasing to offer a pay increase of 2.45% is poor but to make it across 3 years is insulting .
No Steve, having no funeral facilities isn't "unfortunate" at all, it's nothing less than
appalling .
Posted by: CaB, South Wales on 11:26am Thu 17 Jul 08
Indeed, but what I'm saying is that it's not their fault. I beleive that this is the part of the governments strategy of redistributing OUR wealth to the monopolies/oligarchi
es in this country by outsourcing into the private sector. That is why they can't afford to pay decent wages, that is why the unions have to strike to stand up for the rights of it's members. A fairer, equal distribution of wealth is what we need
Indeed, but what I'm saying is that it's not their fault. I beleive that this is the part of the governments strategy of redistributing OUR wealth to the monopolies/oligarchi
es in this country by outsourcing into the private sector. That is why they can't afford to pay decent wages, that is why the unions have to strike to stand up for the rights of it's members. A fairer, equal distribution of wealth is what we need
Posted by: Mr Bump., Newport West on 1:44pm Thu 17 Jul 08
I can't believe that the funeral directors would have been allowed to arrange a funeral for the two days. So this having to put back funerals nonsence is exactly that.
I can't believe that the funeral directors would have been allowed to arrange a funeral for the two days. So this having to put back funerals nonsence is exactly that.
Posted by: maria, Cwmbran on 2:16pm Thu 17 Jul 08
There was plenty of warnings about this strike by Unison so funeral directors would have known this as did the schools who had time to decide whether it was possible to open or not. These strikers will be loosing two days pay they should have a pat on the back for standing up for themselves if they dont [bold]who will ![/bold]
There was plenty of warnings about this strike by Unison so funeral directors would have known this as did the schools who had time to decide whether it was possible to open or not. These strikers will be loosing two days pay they should have a pat on the back for standing up for themselves if they dont
who will ! Posted by: Steve., Newport on 2:47pm Thu 17 Jul 08
[quote]No Steve, having no funeral facilities isn't "unfortunate" at all, it's nothing less than appalling .[/quote]
On the other hand why should you take away the right of funeral directors etc to strike. Isn't it the idea to cause disruption. There would be no point in striking if it wasn't going to affect anyone and everything went on as normal. It is not appalling as they have every right to strike as union members. The funeral aspect is at the top end of the scale whereas 'Doris the Lollipop Lady' is entitled to the same pay demonstration but with a lot less disrupting effect. Both parties are entitled to strike. There is always a delay in arranging funerals and as a previous poster has said the strike action was well informed and it is more than likely funerals were more than likely not booked in for the days of the strike rather than cancelled. As far as the 16K amount is concerned. Yes I know people work for less than 16K a year but at the end of the day does it matter. If the Council workers are not happy with the Government pay offer they have as a Union decided to vent their displeasure and take strike action. No doubt many of the strikers are on considerably a lot less. Ask many of the Government MP's to accept a 2,45% pay rise and there would be uproar. Current RPI is 4.6% and rising - is it any surprise to them that 2.45% wasn't accepted.
No Steve, having no funeral facilities isn't "unfortunate" at all, it's nothing less than appalling .
On the other hand why should you take away the right of funeral directors etc to strike. Isn't it the idea to cause disruption. There would be no point in striking if it wasn't going to affect anyone and everything went on as normal. It is not appalling as they have every right to strike as union members. The funeral aspect is at the top end of the scale whereas 'Doris the Lollipop Lady' is entitled to the same pay demonstration but with a lot less disrupting effect. Both parties are entitled to strike. There is always a delay in arranging funerals and as a previous poster has said the strike action was well informed and it is more than likely funerals were more than likely not booked in for the days of the strike rather than cancelled. As far as the 16K amount is concerned. Yes I know people work for less than 16K a year but at the end of the day does it matter. If the Council workers are not happy with the Government pay offer they have as a Union decided to vent their displeasure and take strike action. No doubt many of the strikers are on considerably a lot less. Ask many of the Government MP's to accept a 2,45% pay rise and there would be uproar. Current RPI is 4.6% and rising - is it any surprise to them that 2.45% wasn't accepted.
Posted by: Steve., Newport on 2:53pm Thu 17 Jul 08
[quote]No Steve, having no funeral facilities isn't "unfortunate" at all, it's nothing less than appalling .[/quote]
On the other hand why should you take away the right of funeral directors etc to strike. Isn't it the idea to cause disruption. There would be no point in striking if it wasn't going to affect anyone and everything went on as normal. It is not appalling as they have every right to strike as union members. The funeral aspect is at the top end of the scale whereas 'Doris the Lollipop Lady' is entitled to the same pay demonstration but with a lot less disrupting effect. Both parties are entitled to strike. There is always a delay in arranging funerals and as a previous poster has said the strike action was well informed and it is more than likely funerals were more than likely not booked in for the days of the strike rather than cancelled. As far as the 16K amount is concerned. Yes I know people work for less than 16K a year but at the end of the day does it matter. If the Council workers are not happy with the Government pay offer they have as a Union decided to vent their displeasure and take strike action. No doubt many of the strikers are on considerably a lot less. Ask many of the Government MP's to accept a 2,45% pay rise and there would be uproar. Current RPI is 4.6% and rising - is it any surprise to them that 2.45% wasn't accepted.
No Steve, having no funeral facilities isn't "unfortunate" at all, it's nothing less than appalling .
On the other hand why should you take away the right of funeral directors etc to strike. Isn't it the idea to cause disruption. There would be no point in striking if it wasn't going to affect anyone and everything went on as normal. It is not appalling as they have every right to strike as union members. The funeral aspect is at the top end of the scale whereas 'Doris the Lollipop Lady' is entitled to the same pay demonstration but with a lot less disrupting effect. Both parties are entitled to strike. There is always a delay in arranging funerals and as a previous poster has said the strike action was well informed and it is more than likely funerals were more than likely not booked in for the days of the strike rather than cancelled. As far as the 16K amount is concerned. Yes I know people work for less than 16K a year but at the end of the day does it matter. If the Council workers are not happy with the Government pay offer they have as a Union decided to vent their displeasure and take strike action. No doubt many of the strikers are on considerably a lot less. Ask many of the Government MP's to accept a 2,45% pay rise and there would be uproar. Current RPI is 4.6% and rising - is it any surprise to them that 2.45% wasn't accepted.
Posted by: Steve., Newport on 2:55pm Thu 17 Jul 08
And why are my posts appearing twice ????
And why are my posts appearing twice ????
Posted by: maria, Cwmbran on 2:57pm Thu 17 Jul 08
Well said Steve alot of these people are not asking for pay rises to pay for expensive holidays they just want to be able pay their bills each month which they are finding harder to do give them a break.
Well said Steve alot of these people are not asking for pay rises to pay for expensive holidays they just want to be able pay their bills each month which they are finding harder to do give them a break.
Posted by: wizurd, newport on 3:26pm Thu 17 Jul 08
As a Unison member at Newport City Council who went on strike yesterday and today i'd like to thank the majority of people for the support we've had. With regards to funeral directors and burials, as was said previously there was plenty of notice of strike action and i cannot believe that a funeral director would have taken any bookings for those two days and if they did then its them that is to blame.
The government has walked away from pay talks and strike action is the only option left to workers that are massively underpaid for what they do and are having more and more duties added to their jobs with no increase in wages.
As a Unison member at Newport City Council who went on strike yesterday and today i'd like to thank the majority of people for the support we've had. With regards to funeral directors and burials, as was said previously there was plenty of notice of strike action and i cannot believe that a funeral director would have taken any bookings for those two days and if they did then its them that is to blame.
The government has walked away from pay talks and strike action is the only option left to workers that are massively underpaid for what they do and are having more and more duties added to their jobs with no increase in wages.
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