Unions warn of more strikes to come in councils pay row

Published on Wednesday 20 August 2008 10:33

UNION leaders warned of further strikes if today's one-day stoppage by council workers fails to produce any movement by local authority bosses over pay.

Around 150,000 members of Unison, Unite, and the GMB across Scotland were expected to take part in today's walkout in protest at a below-inflation offer of 2.5 per cent.

In Edinburgh, the strike was due to close libraries, social work offices and museums, affect bin collections and keep 33 schools shut when they should be reopening after the summer holidays.

But leisure centres and swimming pools were open as normal. And Fringe and Tattoo organisers said they did not expect any of their events to be affected.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis, who visited picket lines in Edinburgh today, said members were taking action reluctantly.

He said: "They care deeply about the vital services they provide and those who depend on them and we apologise for any disruption. However, members feel that they have no choice when the employers' offer is effectively a pay cut.

"I believe the public understand the frustration at an offer that would lock council workers into a 2.5 per cent pay offer for three years, when inflation is way ahead of that and rising."

Dougie Black, Unison's lead negotiator for council staff, said if management did not respond to today's stoppage, further strikes were sure to follow.

"There is a huge groundswell of support for today's action," he said. "Our members feel very angry about the level of the offer and the fact it is connected to a three-year deal when they look at the prices they are having to pay for food and fuel. If the employers don't respond to what happens today that will strengthen the resolve of our members."

Jimmy Farrelly, regional officer for Unite, said the offer was worth just 15p an hour to lower paid workers, who were already very close to the minimum wage.

He said: "Unite believe that both the employers and the Scottish government have a duty to intervene to end this damaging dispute and to stop placing the burden of inflation on the lowest paid workers by making the necessary funds available."

Edinburgh council's finance convener Councillor Gordon Mackenzie said it was disappointing staff had gone on strike and said he hoped there would be a "realistic and fair" outcome to negotiations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

THE city council urged people to check the council website – www.edinburgh.gov.uk – or phone the relevant service for information on closures.

&#149 Schools, nurseries, community centres and child and family centres – 0131-200 2383.

&#149 Health and Social Care Services (Adults) and Social Work Services for Children – anyone aware of an adult or a child at risk should ring 0800–731 6969.

&#149 Homeless people or those in need of emergency accommodation – 0131-529 7368.

&#149 Council tenants needing emergency repairs – 0131-200 2345.

Households with scheduled Wednesday collections should put out their bin as normal. But bins not emptied should be removed from the kerbside and put out again next Wednesday. There will be no trade waste collections today.