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Shropshire councils vow to minimise strike disruption
Tuesday 21st June 2011, 11:01AM BST.
Council bosses in Shropshire today vowed they would do all they could to minimise disruption when public-sector workers strike next week over pension reforms.
Shropshire Council said it was already providing guidance to schools and was working with trade union representatives and headteachers to reduce the impact on schools and colleges from the action, which is part of a national protest.
The council pledge comes after unions yesterday announced plans to hold the strike action in Shrewsbury and Telford on June 30.
And more protests could also take place, with Unison due to hold an emergency meeting tonight to discuss possible strike action over Shirehall plans to cut council staff earnings.
Anger is growing over a Shropshire Council cabinet decision to cut staff pay by 4.5 per cent over two years.
Workers also face changes to their employment terms and conditions.
But council bosses have warned that unless big savings are made up to 500 jobs could be lost.
Karen Bradshaw, the council’s group manager for learning and skills, said: “We are currently working with county trade union representatives and headteachers to look at the potential impact, and work to minimise the disruption caused by any planned industrial action.
“As part of this we have provided guidance to schools to help in making decisions on whether it will be necessary to close on June 30.”
Meanwhile tonight’s meeting organised by Unison, the Shirehall’s biggest union, will be a first opportunity for its members to discuss the cabinet decision over staff earnings and consider what action they wanted to take.
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Tell you what, why don’t all these numpties that want to strike go and get a job in the private sector and let people who really want to work to their current public sector job for the lower pay rate…
There are lots of people out there that would quite willing do your jobs no matter what the pay is, so put up and shut up at least you have a job to go to.
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The union should be looking to take court action. The decision of the Council was not included in the current negotiations and the statutory consultation has not taken place.
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Darren, I bet there are plenty of workers in ‘developing’ countries who would do any private sector job for a fraction of the going rate.
What sort of argument is that?
Should we all try to undercut one another so we’re offering our labour at ever lower rates to employers. Working longer and longer hours to make up for the fact that we’re being paid less and less?
Does that sound desirable to you?
It’s called ‘the race to the bottom’ and its exactly where this country is headed thanks to attitudes like yours shaped by millionaire MPs, funded by the bankers and financiers, and their millionare mates who own the media.
As you condemn those planning to strike, do you agree that an employer should be free to make non-agreed changes to employees contracts.
A contract is a mutual agreement adhered to by both parties -it is not the teachers or other public sector workers who are reneging on this agreement – it’s the government.
Ask yourself what sort of remuneration Danny Alexander, Francie Maude etc will enjoy in old age in comparisson to teachers and other public sector workers.
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