UNISON members and other colleagues working for Cheshire West and Chester Council will be on strike over the Easter weekend after the council rejected the latest trade union proposals to resolve the dispute.
The strike over the bank holiday weekend is the latest action as council workers seek to defend their terms and conditions. It follows union members withdrawing the use of their cars for work purposes and strike action in libraries.
“Staff are striking because the council arrogantly cut, amongst other things, their weekend and bank holiday pay down to flat rate,” said Cheshire West and Chester branch secretary Teresa Connally.
“Now that the council can’t find anyone to work Easter weekend at flat rate, the hypocrites are offering staff double time for the whole four days if they work,” she noted.
“This is more than staff would have got before the cuts! The council’s confrontational approach is only strengthening the resolve of staff.”
“My message to the council on behalf of UNISON is that we can resolve this dispute but it requires the council to engage with us. Until such time the industrial action will continue.”
UNISON regional organiser Maria Moss added: “UNISON has attempted to resolve this dispute by making new proposals to the council using ACAS.
“This is the second or third time that the council have rejected an opportunity to resolve the whole dispute.
“Our members, who are decent working people, are suffering with the hardest hit being front line and low paid.
“These people keep excellent services running by going above and beyond what is required of them every day. This goodwill has been shot to bits by the leadership of this council.”
All UNISON members have been called out on strike from 6 April to 9 April 2012 inclusive and will be joined by members of GMB and Unite.
The dispute is over new employment contracts, which were imposed from 2 April and mean staff have to work weekends, overtime and most bank holidays for flat rate pay.
Premium payments for night work are to be reduced and payments for shifts, including split shifts, are to end.
Staff who use their own car for work, including transporting clients and equipment, face having their allowances severely reduced despite these rates being independently calculated and agreed nationally.