Dispute Over Pay Continues At Council
On the one year anniversary of the start of the trade union dispute between Unite, Unison and Southampton City Council, workers have declared that they are determined to continued their resistance to the council's pay cuts .
One year on dispute with Southampton City Council continues
With workers facing another year of pay cuts, which is sucking power from the local economy, the unions representing the workers, Unite and Unison, have said they have option but to continue the dispute with the Conservative - controlled council.
The year-long dispute has seen targeted stoppages in refuse collection, by parking attendants, at the city port, social workers and at the toll bridge over the River.
The unions presented SCC with an alternative plan which would have saved services, jobs and retained pay but forced the council to save income. This has not been accepted.
Ian Woodland, Unite regional officer said:
"Unite views it as a disgrace that one year on, workers at Southampton City Council are having to continue their industrial action.
"This dispute is being driven by a political agenda as the Tories have wanted to attack our members' terms and conditions ever since they won control of the council in 2008.
"Our members are united, angry and determined and have vowed to keep on fighting until the council sees sense. The council should not underestimate their willingness to protest against these unnecessary pay cuts."
Mike Tucker, Unison branch secretary said:
"Whether introduced by Conservative or Labour Councils, UNISON members will not accept pay cuts. While wasting millions on a museum the City does not need, Council workers have suffered savage pay cuts. UNISON members will continue to take action until nationally agreed pay levels are restored."
Specifically the meeting agreed:
-That the action short of strike should continue.
-That a joint lobby should be held of the Council meeting being held on 15 February between 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. The theme of the lobby to be,
-One year on, council workers still say no to pay cuts.
-In addition, it has been decided that a demonstration and industrial action will be held on Tuesday, 10th April, the day the Sea City Museum is due to open. The demonstration and industrial action to be held on that day to link the £5 million the Conservatives have borrowed to build it, with the £5 million being taken out of council workers pay.
The unions will consult with members on the form the industrial action will take. It is proposed that all members directly employed by the council would be called on to take industrial action on 10 April.