COUNCIL DEFENDS CENSORSHIP ON SINGLE STATUS D-DAY

30-11-2007

Birmingham City Council has defended its censorship of an independent Single Status pay website – as revealed on The Stirrer more than 24 hours ago. They say it “misrepresents” the new deal being offered to staff.

Access to the site – which allows workers to exchange information about their new terms and conditions – was blocked late on Wednesday, news which was promptly reported on our Message Board.

We confirmed it yesterday morning, and have now received this comment from the local authority: "The council's Internet policy states that employee access to websites which 'misrepresent council views or policies' should be prohibited.

“The website www.birminghamsinglestatus.co.uk was clearly found to be in breach of this policy and access from the council's network has therefore been blocked.

“Pay and Grading is a high profile topic for Council employees at the moment, there are a number of mechanisms and forums through which employees can voice their views on this matter, the Council is looking at additional mechanisms that will allow employees to voice their view”.

The Council doesn’t spell out how it’s “misrepresented” on the site. You can judge for yourself how fair it is at http://birminghamsinglestatus.co.uk/index.html

Today, meanwhile, staff have to decide whether or not to accept their new contracts – if they refuse they’ll be issued with formal redundancy notices.

At the end of 90 days, the local authority insists that refuseniks will nevertheless be deemed to have accepted their new deal if they turn up for work.

Union officials dispute this and will offer covering letters to workers who want to maintain their resistance, on the basis that the revised contracts amount to unfair dismissal.

Should the Single Status website be blocked?

Leave a comment on our Message Board.