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"NO OVERWHELMING SUPPORT" CLAIM AS STRIKE GETS NOD

28-01-2008

Birmingham Council workers have voted in favour of a strike over their new pay deal - but the city’s deputy leader insists there's "no overwhelming support" for industrial action.

The final result of ballots carried out by five unions was announced today, and as expected members gave their backing to a series of walkouts – starting with the day of the next full council meeting on February 5th.

Liberal Democrat leader Paul Tilsley – and Mike Whitby’s chief coalition partner – admitted the result was “disappointing” but argues that disruption may be less significant than is feared.

“So far, just under 50% of our workers have returned their new contracts, and total union membership only covers 42% of staff.

“That tells me that more people are happy with their new deal than are opposed to it.

“The GMB union, for example, claims to have 4,000 members in the Council. If we accept their figures, only 1,500 voted, and of those 1,00 were in favour of a strike – so that’s just 25% of their membership.

“I don’t think that’s overwhelming support.”

Tilsley said he was confident that despite the disruption, the next Council meeting will go ahead as planned.

Is Paul Tilsley right to say there’s no overwhelming support for a strike?

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