Council pay battle: 'All-out strike action won't do anyone any good'

THE city council's decision to up the ante in its drive to modernise workers' pay and conditions also raises the very real prospect of a damaging strike.

All-out industrial action or even a work-to-rule could include as many as 17,000 staff and would affect almost every service the council provides.

That means potential difficulties for tens of thousands of city residents as well as hardship for those workers who might find their pay docked.

It's a no-win situation which will rightly make many residents wonder why both sides have let it come to this.

The trade unions see the modernisation as cost-cutting and are determined to protect their members.

The council says its hands are tied by European legislation on equality of pay – and in truth the local authority has been slow to address an issue which leaves female workers out of pocket.

It is right to be addressing the issue now and, given the unions' reluctance to agree to changes, it will argue that it has no choice other than to formally enter a 90-day consultation, which could end with the dismissal of workers who don't sign up to the new conditions on offer.

But a strike won't do anyone any good. Both sides must use those 90 days to do all they can to belatedly come to a deal.

Salt in the wounds

AN SNP councillor's call for residents to get off their backsides and clear pavements of snow and ice will resonate with some people.

Like Norman Work, many of us recall winters of old, when neighbours would gather together to clear the areas around their homes.

The dilution of such community spirit is generally to be mourned. Why, after all, should anyone have to be reminded at this time of year to keep an eye out for elderly locals – and even relatives – who might be suffering more than most in the big freeze?

But Councillor Work's call to man the shovels will leave most Edinburgh residents cold – if not, in fact, red hot with fury. Isn't his comment just an excuse for the failure of the city council to keep the streets and especially our pavements clear?

There are valid points to be made about how foreseeable the current Arctic conditions were, and what it would cost to have the city on standby every winter in case they struck.

But the councillor's comments pour salt in the wounds of a city which is struggling right now – when the only salt being issued should be going on our roads and pavements.