Members of UNISON, UNITE and GMB held a 3 hour strike on 14th February to launch a campaign of industrial action against the cuts.  Many joined a demonstration outside the Council HQ in Chester (photo).  The action followed successful ballots by the 3 unions, with around 70% voting for strike action, and nearly 80% voting for action short of striking.

The three unions now intend to implement a programme of industrial action short of striking involving overtime bans, refusing to undertake cover, refusing to do non-contractual call-ins and sleep-ins.  They will also be refusing to use personal cars for work.  Finally the branch will be working with groups of staff most affected by the cuts to undertake selective strike action – mainly aimed at disrupting weekend working.

The Council is forcing through the imposition of a new contract.  Staff were told that unless they agreed the new contracts before mid-November they would be subject to individual dismissal meetings with managers.  The fact that they would have to be re-engaged on the new contracts was played down.  The lowest paid were offered a buy-out equivalent to 6 months losses, but only if they signed the new contract by November.

Claiming that it is protecting basic pay, the Council’s cuts involve the removal of practically all pay enhancements for shift, weekend, bank holiday and overtime work.  The only concession has been to retain double-time for working Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and to retain a reduced night enhancement – cutting it from 33% to 20%.

Most of the staff affected by the cuts are low paid women care workers and general assistants, all paid below £17,000 basic pay if they worked full-time.  The majority are part time.  Council figures show that the loss of weekend, bank holiday and night enhancements mean most will suffer 10 – 15% pay cuts.  This contrasts even to the cuts being made by Southampton Council, where staff earning below £21,000 are protected.

The other groups facing big cuts under the Council’s proposals are the 1,000 staff contracted to use their own cars for work.    90% of these face £1500 per year cut in their allowances, but the new contract still requires them to provide a “reliable” car to do their job.  Other cuts involve reduced redundancy pay, a 75% reduction in pay protection, removal of the £1 per day split shift allowance, and even the ending of retirement gifts for those with 25 years’ service.

Staff in Street-scene (gardeners and road sweepers) face the removal of current overtime pay for working weekends and bank holidays, and the imposition of a 365 day rota, with enhancements only on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.  They will even be required to take most of their holidays at times set by the rota.

The UNISON Branch believes there will be strong support for withdrawing the use of cars, especially amongst professional staff like Social Workers.  Care staff are very reluctant to take selective strike action, but have little alternative if they are to force the Council back to the negotiating table.