Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Southampton social care staff strike

Check out the latest in the Southampton City Council UNISON and Unite dispute over proposed 5% pay cuts for staff.  "Over 450 UNISON and Unite members working in social care are set to strike on Wednesday 3 August as part of the continuing industrial action against pay cuts.

The council had previously written to all staff informing them of their intention to sack them and rehire them on worse contracts.

City-wide action so far has seen waste and recycling workers, street cleaners, library workers, Itchen toll bridge collectors, parking enforcement officers, contact supervisors (social care), vehicle mechanics, port health officers and building maintenance workers go on strike.

Those on strike on Wednesday 3 August will be the whole of the safeguarding division and all of health and adult care apart from day services, home care, residential homes, meals on wheels and commissioning.

Action on 3 August will begin with a rally at 11am in Guildhall Square. This will be followed at 12noon by a meeting for all social work staff. There will be picket lines at Marland House, Oakhill House, Herbert Collins House, Thomas Lewis House, Cannon Street offices and College Keep. On 4 August the City Council will be given seven days notice of areas in social work who will be on strike for a longer period. A further strike of all social work staff is planned for later in August.

Strong support continues to be received by the branch from UNISON branches across the country. Regional manager Steve Brazier reported that the branch received a message of support and donation from the Shetland Islands UNISON branch as well as receiving an ongoing commitment from UNISON at a regional and national level to provide the financial resources needed to continue with the dispute. There will be a joint UNISON / Unite membership meeting on Wednesday 10 August at 12.30pm in Above Bar Church to decide the next steps in the campaign".  Hat tip UNISON press release.

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