So Solid Strike Gains Strong Public Support

Solid strike action in council workplaces throughout Manchester combined with tremendous support from the public was replicated across the country. The employers got the message they needed to hear from over one million council workers - fair pay for those working at the heart of our communities.

Be proud. UNISON members delivered the most solid strike in our union's history. The biggest strike ever of women in the UK was a massive success.

In Manchester, every council workplace of any note was shut down. From Alexandra House to Pink Bank Lane, Chorlton Social Services to Central library, and the scores of offices and schools in between, hundreds of UNISON members staffed picket lines from six in the morning onward.

Many more joined the rally in St. Peter's Square in the afternoon where, amid a carnival style atmosphere, they heard Mo Baines, UNISON Manchester Branch Secretary and speakers from other trade unions speaking up for fair pay for all and decent pay for the low paid.

Here in Manchester, the Branch had two picket support vans bringing support and supplies to workplaces across the city. They also took some photo's - are you in the picture? - and reported back to the Branch Office. Lloyd's Kitchen café staff even brought round early morning tea to the bleary eyed Town Hall pickets.

There was a party atmosphere outside Longsight library and Social Services office, with motorists beeping like crazed droids down Stockport Road in support of the dispute. Levenshulme High School had a solid turnout, as did Alma Park Primary School, Carisbrooke Social Services call centre office and the depots at Pink Bank Lane and Hammerstone Road. All reported strong public support. There are so many other offices and schools that were solid, there's no room to mention them all here. Pride of place perhaps though to Alexandra House - usual complement around 350, but on the day of the strike only 3 decided to scab.

Fair play to those who received union sanctioned exemptions from taking strike action. The vast majority have pledged to donate a healthy amount of their day's wages to UNISON' s hardship fund to help out those suffering severe financial problems as a result of joining their mates in the strike. If you want to help, contact the Branch.

Results…

• The employers' said we had no mandate for strike action. Wrong. Over a million local government employees across England, Wales and Northern Ireland showed they're not prepared to put up with low pay any longer.
• The employers' said we couldn't organise a national strike. Wrong. UNISON officers, stewards and members up and down the country united and proved they can shut down councils at will.
• The employers' were refusing even to consider re-opening negotiations. Wrong. The're now talking via ACAS with our negotiators. It's now time for us to put even more pressure on them to pay up.
  

National round-up

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis congratulated all the UNISON members who took part in the strike. Over one million local government workers went on strike.

He added, "the turnout was magnificent and all our regions report rock solid support. Our members and stewards with their colourful banners, placards and balloons dominated TV screens at picket lines and rallies throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We had messages of solidarity from many unions - both here at home and internationally - and fantastic support from the public."

"The employers have been left in no doubt that we are serious in our resolve to win this dispute. Don't forget to keep up the pressure on your local councillors."

What Happens Next?

The second day of national strike action has been set by UNISON, the GMB and the T&GWU for the 14th August. Longer term selective action is also currently being planned. And further action is promised until the employers return to their senses.

A third day of national strike action is also being planned for September. UNISON national secretary for local government, Heather Wakefield said, "In the face of the employers' failure to re-open meaningful negotiations, we are escalating our campaign of industrial action. Our door remains firmly open but the employers must be in no doubt that something significant has to come from them to prevent this action."

It's time to pile on the pressure. Together we can win.

Debunking the Myth of National Employers' "Affordability" or Excuses?

"There are only two ways of meeting the union claim. Either by adding, on average, an extra £80 in council tax for every household in the country. Or by reducing the workforce by 85,000 ..... 3% is fair and reasonable. It is all councils can afford."

Extracts from the Local Government Chronicle on 19 July by Brian Baldwin, Chair of the
Employers Negotiating Team. Or from any other paper, reporter or microphone the employers have spoken to in the past month. It's all part of the script, and there's no room for improvisation.

Mr Baldwin* is the self-styled, John Wayne figure of the national employers; treating this dispute like his personal Alamo as chronic spin syndrome breaks out all around him. So desperate are the employers to stay "on message" at all costs they sound increasingly like an LP played at 78 rpm, spinning to a point beyond comprehension. Let's slow things down a bit…

Firstly, most councils have actually budgeted for a pay rise closer to 4% than 3%.

Secondly, Mr Baldwin knows that all negotiations, and thereby disputes, inevitably end in some form of compromise. There's plenty of scope between the offer and the claim for a general increase well above 3% and some weighting at the lower end.

Thirdly, the due date for the rise was 1 April but it's unlikely that any settlement will reach pay packets before September. That's 6 months interest built up in the coffers - more than enough to pay for an increase above 3% on top of the back pay.

Fourthly, there's a huge reliance on overtime to plug staff shortages. This means councils are paying premia rates to provide normal services. Increasing basic pay goes some way to solving staff shortages and can be funded by the money currently paid as overtime. So it's largely self-financing, increases employment and reduces sickness absence due to workload and stress - producing a net saving in the medium and long term.

Lastly, 25% of all council workers are in the poverty trap, relying on some form of state benefit to get by. This is public money. Raising wages to bring people out of the trap reduces benefits and increases taxation - meaning more public money. And the increase in spending in the local economy creates further employment, which reduces benefits further, which increases the tax base further...

So the astronomical cost, the tax rise, the huge redundancies..? They're not real. They're part of the Big Brother detachment the national employers seem to be living in.

Have another read. Are the points above rocket science or just basic economics? You decide.

* Despite being verbally battered on BBC Radio 5 Live by UNISON Manchester's own Wendy Allison - Brian Baldwin claims UNISON's ballot turnout of 40% gives no mandate for strike action from the members. He was elected on a 15% turnout ... nuff said.

Key Facts:

• The national average basic wage is £19.5k. Two thirds of council staff earn less than £13k
• 20 per cent earn less than £5 an hour
• The pay gap between women in local government and men is widening - a fair rise would help end pay discrimination
• Local government pay is slipping further behind private and public sector pay
• Recruitment and retention problems in local government are widespread -primarily because of low pay
• The average allowance of Council leaders is the same as the average salary of over half the workforce

What Can You Do?

• Do the right thing. Support the strike, support your colleagues
• Picket your workplace and persuade staff to join you
• Explain to your family and friends why you've been forced to take strike action for a decent pay rise for all
• Become a steward and help organise your workplace for the next strike action - training and advice is always available from the Branch Office
• Persuade your colleagues not to cross picket lines (scab) and work to defeat the strike
• Get everybody in your workplace to join UNISON. After all, they'll get the benefit of any pay rise so like everybody else they should observe the strike and pay their dues
• If you've a home e-mail address, let the Branch know, and you'll be added to the e-mail database
• Write to your councillor and MP to get their support for our fair pay campaign, and get your family and friends to do the same