Workers vote no to pay deal

0 - 0 • Published 30 Apr 2008 10:00

STRIKE action is looming after West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) workers voted against the controversial Single Status pay deal last week.

If the pay structure proposal put forward by management is accepted by councillors at a special meeting in two weeks, then thousands of workers are threatening a walkout.

As a result of the timing of union ballot results, the special meeting will give councillors enough time to decide if they will approve the deal or not.

Denise McLafferty, Unison branch secretary spoke to the Post after the release of its ballot results, where 82 per cent of members voted in favour of rejecting the proposals.

She said: 'From our point of view we are delighted with the result.

'It is a resounding rejection of a derisory offer.

'We have advised our members to lobby the council meeting to encourage them to reject management proposals.

'If at the special council meeting councillors accept management"s recommendation there is no doubt we will go to a ballot for industrial action.'

Duncan Borland, GMB convener, was surprised by the response from workers who are receiving a pay increase in the new structure.

He said: 'I was personally surprised to see that the people who are gaining were voting against it.

'The ones getting an increase in pay have seen that the terms and conditions will affect them as well.

'The people that are gaining are not getting any pleasure when other people are losing out.'

Originally councillors were due to make a decision on the highly sensitive issue at tonight"s (Wednesday) full council meeting.

However, as union ballots only closed last week, it was decided to delay the vote to allow councillors more time to deliberate.

A council spokeswoman said: 'In view of what has happened at other authorities in Scotland and the fact that unions advised their members to vote against it we are not surprised with the results.

'We are very disappointed because we want to address equal pay especially for our low paid female workers and we have a legal requirement to adopt this.'

She added: 'This is one of the biggest issues for local government and as such merits a special meeting of the council.'

The crunch meeting will take place on Wednesday May 14 at council headquarters.

Nearly all workers will be affected by the changes to terms and conditions, which include switching core working hours form 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday to 7am to 9pm Monday to Sunday.

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 30 Apr 08

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