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Strikes could cause services standstill
25/ 6/2008
ESSENTIAL services could come to a standstill after the local government union, Unison, announced its members have voted for strike action in a row over pay.
It is expected that Unison’s national strike committee, which meets on Friday, June 27, will recommend to push ahead with the action, causing disruption to services at Macclesfield Borough Council (MBC) and Cheshire County Council (CCC), including housing benefit workers, rent collectors, binmen, dinner ladies, teaching assistants, cooks, cleaners and lollipop ladies.
But MBC have insisted the impact will be as minimal as possible. A spokesman said: "This is a national dispute and the pay issue is being handled between local government employers and the unions. Should there be strike action, MBC will aim to maintain key services."
CCC said they have contingency plans to keep schools open on such occasions.
Nearly 600,000 members were balloted, including 252 from Macclesfield, for a two-day strike over a 2.45 per cent pay offer. 55pc of those who voted were in favour of industrial action, tabled for July.
Dave Prentis, Unison general secretary, said: "This is a solid vote for action and a clear message that our members are willing to fight for a decent pay rise.
"They are fed up and angry that they are expected to accept pay cut after pay cut, while bread and butter prices go through the roof. Most of them are low paid workers who are hit hardest by food and fuel price hikes, and they see the unfairness of boardroom bonanzas and big city bonuses."
The GMB Union, whose members also work in local government, have accepted the pay deal but are backing Unison. A spokesman said: "We look to give as much support as we can to our striking colleagues."
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