Town hall prepares for strike action (From Bury Times)
When news happens, text BONEWS and your photos to 80360 or phone 01204 537274
Town hall prepares for strike action
9:45am Thursday 10th November 2011 in News
COUNCIL chiefs are bracing themselves for widespread strike action on November 30 after union members voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action.
Unison, which represents thousands of public-sector workers in and around Bury, balloted members, including nurses, teaching assistants, social workers, care assistants, paramedics, police staff, school dinner ladies, probation workers and cleaners.
They are concerned Government changes to pensions will mean they have to work longer, contribute more and draw out less when they retire.
The ballot showed more than 75 per cent in favour of walking out.
Other unions are also set to join in the planned day of action.
Union sources claim services will be reduced to Christmas Day levels, with only essential services operating.
Unison’s Bury branch secretary, Steve Morton, said: “I am pleased our members have decided to take decisive action. It shows how strongly we feel about this attack on pensions.
“It’s not our intention to harm the public and staff will catch up with their work the day after. We can’t get our view over any other way.”
The Government last week made concessions, offering to allow those retiring in the next decade to keep their current pension terms.
But unions claim there is little chance of averting the strike though negotiations will continue.
Bury Council chief executive, Mike Kelly, said: “We are making plans to cope with any loss of services.
“It is too early to say precisely what services will be running and what ones will not be.
“However, services used by the most vulnerable members of our society will continue to receive top priority.”
Any decision to close schools would be made by individual headteachers.
Bury Council leader, Cllr Mike Connolly, said: “No one welcomes strike action, least of all the staff themselves.
“However, I have every sympathy with their anger and frustration.
“Our staff do not enjoy lavish pay and gold-plated conditions.
“They are hard-working, ordinary people, committed to public service, many of whom have spent a lifetime providing vital services to the people of Bury.
“I call on the Government to sit down immediately and have genuine, sensible talks with the trades unions so that an agreement can be amicably reached.”
Comments(2)
buryreader
says...
7:48pm Fri 11 Nov 11
Private sector will soon be working til at least 68yrs, equality is a 2 way street, but public sector only want it when it suits them. They are not implementing these changes to anyone who retires in the next decade.
Lostcause says...
1:05pm Thu 10 Nov 11
To be fair when its time for a majority to retire the terms and conditions will have changed again, they seem to be able to change what they want when they want to change it, what's the point? There will be no effect on services, the public won't even notice.