After a 2 month strike by Glasgow City Council Day Care workers, the City's grave diggers are the latest group of workers who have been forced to strike following the Council's refusal to have meaningful talks with the GMB union who represent the workers. The strike action - not taken lightly - is in response to the 'modernisation' programme forced on the grave yard workforce which will see them lose up to £2,000 a year in pay.
 
The strikes are scheduled to begin on Christmas eve and take in December 26th, 29th and 31st, as well as January 2nd, 3rd and 5th, and will affect the 32 grave yards in the city. The cemeteries staff will operate a policy of no overtime on the other days.  

It was this 'modernisation' programme which saw the Day Care centre's shut for 2 months. Glasgow City Council's determination to decrease wages to workers of such desperately needed services along with the round of cuts ordered by the SNP at the Scottish parliament has forced another section of its workforce to take action to defend jobs and services. With the Thatcher era's anti-trade union laws still in place, this means the grave yard workers have been forced into ballot after ballot and supposed talks with the council before having to hold another ballot to take action, while the council was kept fully informed at every stage of the developments. Glasgow Council seem hellbent on taking their workforce to the brink in every matter.
 
The workers union, the GMB, said:"The grave diggers are very aware this is a sensitive issue. They deeply regret any sorrow this may cause, but the workers have been forced into taking this action to protect working conditions." (GMB website).