Strike Threat At Portsmouth Council
Tuesday 22nd February
2011
GMB MEMBERS IN
PORTSMOUTH THREATEN STRIKE ACTION IF
COUNCIL MOVES TO IMPOSE CUTS IN PAY AND
CONDITIONS
The proposed cuts would lead
to GMB members suffering a decline of over 6% in their income
taking inflation into account which is not acceptable
GMB members employed by Portsmouth
City Council have made clear that they will apply to the GMB
Central Executive Council (CEC) for permission to hold a ballot for
industrial action if the City Council makes any move to impose
threatened cuts in pay, payment for working overtime, payment for
working unsocial hours, any cut in holiday entitlement or reduction
in redundancy payments.
This comes after a meeting between GMB
and the Leader of Portsmouth City Council and the Chief Executive
last week at which they proposed that the pay of non teaching staff
should be cut by up to 1.5% with effect from 1 April 2011. The
proposed cut would have been a permanent cut affecting overtime
payments, future pensions and other terms and conditions of
employment. GMB refused to agree to any such cut.
Portsmouth City Council is controlled
by the Liberal Democrats. Revenue spending was £190.6 million in
2010/11 and it is due to decrease to £182.1 million revenue
spending in 2011/12 and to £173.1 million in 2012/13. The council
has already announced that 408 posts are under threat of
redundancy.
Kevin Brandstatter, GMB Regional
Officer said, "Portsmouth
City Council is effectively trying to
blackmail GMB members with this pay cut. It put to GMB that
this was the only way to save jobs and prevent further compulsory
redundancies. When pressed they admitted that no more than 50
jobs could be saved by all staff taking a pay cut.
During the discussions the
Council admitted to having around £76m in reserves, of which £16m
was in cash. Despite having these reserves the Council
refused to use these reserves to prevent the very same job
losses.
GMB members are unwilling to
agree to cuts of this nature at a time of rising inflation.
This cut would effectively lead to GMB members suffering a decline
of over 6% in their income taking inflation into account.
This is not acceptable. GMB's role is to protect members' terms and
conditions of employment not surrender them."
The
Unionis determined to retain the existing
terms and conditions of employment of GMB members. GMB
members are shocked and angered by these proposals. This is
an assault on hard working public servants, many of whom are poorly
paid.
GMB members will be further
angered when they learn that Bankers who caused this crisis expect
pay increases of 20% this year, on top of salaries that it would
take many GMB members a decade to earn.
GMB will use all means at its
disposal, including industrial action to protect our members
interests. If the City Council makes any move to impose these
cuts I will immediately apply to the GMB Central Executive Council
for permission to have a strike ballot.
GMB expect a large number of
members and their families to travel to
London from the south coast 26th March for
the TUC mass demonstration
against the Government's policies. GMB will also be campaigning in
the local election in the city in May to get a maximum vote against
the Tory and Liberal parties who are imposing these
cuts."
Ends
Contact: Kevin
Brandstatter GMB Organiser on 07813 207374 or 01489 578665/01256
308080 or GMB Press Office on 07921 289880 or 07974 251823.