East Lothian Courier | News | Council strike is close

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 21st February, 2008 09:00

Council strike is close

THE latest blow has been struck in the battle over ‘single status’ as councillors set in motion plans to “dismiss and re-engage” nearly half of the local authority’s workforce.

In response, furious trade unionists have labelled councillors “21st century Thatcherites” and are now planning to follow through on their threat to take industrial action – which will undoubtedly cause major disruptions in East Lothian Council’s services.

In a report to councillors on Tuesday, head of personnel services, Sharon Saunders, explained that the ongoing consultation with trade union representatives – from UNISON, GMB and Unite – had “run its course”.

In response, councillors accepted the recommendations of her report and agreed to implement the ‘dismissal and re-engagement’ procedure.

All council workers who do not voluntarily accept the single status pay structure will be issued with new contracts on and after May 31.

Those who refuse to accept their new positions will be issued with 12 weeks statutory notice, to allow them to find alternative employment, councillors heard.

Earlier this month, trade union leaders issued strike ballot forms to the 2,000 members within the council’s 4,700-strong workforce.

A recent consultation ballot revealed that 60 per cent of members are willing to strike over the long-running dispute.

All Scottish councils are required by law to introduce equal pay – East Lothian Council has been battling with trade unions officials over the issue since 2005.

Council leader, Councillor David Berry said: “The last thing we want is to find ourselves in dispute with the unions.

“I’m disappointed that it has been done in this manner but we did the best we could.

“The collective consultation went on well past the 90 days that was obligatory.

“I am reluctant to think that there might be industrial action.”

Councillors heard that 54 per cent of the council’s workforce had voluntarily signed up for the single-status package.

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