STRIKE BALLOT FOR 80,000 WEST MIDS COUNCIL WORKERS

30-05-2008

Local government workers across the West Midlands are being balloted for strike action today in protest at a below-inflation pay offer by the government.

Unison – the man union Town Hall union – has 850,000 members in Councils across the country, with 80,000 in the West Midlands.

They represent office staff, bin men, social workers, carers and so on.

They're threatening to hold a two-day walkout in June, but can only do that legally if they hold a poll.

Mary Maguire, Unsion’s spokeswoman explained that they’d already taken soundings at branch level and received backing for action from the members.

"We've only been offered 2.45% when the Retail Price Index, which includes fuel and housing costs is something like 4.2%. 

"The government prefers to quote the CPI, the Consumer Prices Index but although that is lower than the RPI, it's still higher than the offer they are making to our members."

It remains to be seen whether local council employees in the West Midlands are willing to strike in numbers – especially in Birmingham, where many staff are weary of disputes following the Single Status row.

Should Council workers strike over their latest pay offer? Leave a comment on The Stirrer Forum.