SINGLE STATUS STRIKE FEAR

10-08-2007

Unions are threatening strike action over Birmingham Council's new Single Status pay agreement. They warn that it might be a decade before the aim of achieving equal wages for men and women is achieved - and that it might not be reached at all.

In his regular Birmingham Mail column, The Stirrer reports that Unison has sent a letter to every city councillor warning that the two sides are "miles apart" over their negotiations (see the story here)

The chair of the union's Birmingham branch Alan Gunter states bluntly: "We are not prepared to stand by and allow the council to impose an unfair pay structure upon us.

"Be prepared for a ballot on action in the near future up to and including strike action".

Unison's briefing reveals that some members of staff could lose up to four days annual leave entitlement, and claims that the complicated new wage structure - designed to end inequality - could still leave women lagging behind.

The upshot, they warn, could be more legal action.

There's no doubt that the unions have suddenly upped the ante, and the timing of this leak is certainly interesting as two of the key players are on holiday.

Unison"s regional Head of Local Government Tony Rabaiotti is on leave until later this month while the Cabinet Member handling negotiations for the Council Alan Rudge is also enjoying a well-earned breather.

In their absence, the dissatisfaction which has been rumbling for months has finally risen to the surface.