STRIKERS MYTH THE POINT WARNS RUDGE

09-04-2008

Birmingham Council have responded to news of a two day strike later this month by issuing a new “myth busting” fact file aimed at persuading staff to cross the picket lines. Alan Rudge, the cabinet member responsible for introducing the controversial Pay and Grading Review is behind the move.

In leaflet to be widely circulated to workers, Rudge insists that the unions supported a revised contract offer brokered last month after two weeks of intensive negotiations – the implication being that they then reneged on the deal.

He also rejects the notion that a series of mass public meetings aimed at putting the deal to workers were neutral.

“The meetings were not neutral” Rudge insists.

“Many union officials were in fact urging their members not to accept the offer which they themselves had supported 24 hours previously.

“The atmosphere of the meetings was hostile and unbalanced.”

His attack continues by placing responsibility for Single Status legislation, which provoked the Pay and Grading Review in the first place, on the unions.

“The Council is responding to a Single Status Agreement sponsored by the Trades Unions. It has used a Job Evaluation Scheme which the Unions jointly designed.”

This isn’t the first “mythbusting” exercise released by Rudge, but he has never been more outspoken in his criticism of his negotiating partners – and is clearly appealing over their heads, direct to ordinary workers, 60% of whom have already signed new contracts.

For their part, the unions decision to opt for a two-day strike marks new determination to resist the offer – they sense that this next burst of industrial action will make, or the break, the dispute.

To see details of the two day strike as revealed exclusively on The Stirrer yesterday, click here

AND TO SEE ALAN RUDGE’S LATEST MYTHBUSTING FLYER CLICK HERE