Where trade unionists start their day on the net.
Coventry Council workers are fighting a pay-cutting deal being imposed under
a ‘Single Status’ agreement. Thousands of workers (Unison and TGWU members) were on strike on 19 May and on 24 and 25 May. GMB/Apex voted against strike action, but in support of action short of strike. A work-to-rule involving all 3 unions is therefore continuing on non-strike days.
Single status is supposed to bring pay parity in local government across all
grades, but it is being used by many councils around the country as an
excuse to drive wages down generally. In Coventry approximately 1600
workers (according to the Council's figures) are 'losers' – some up to
£8,000 a year. A large number of workers such as refuse collectors and
gravediggers on, say, £16,000 to £19,000, face cuts in pay of £3,000 or
more.
Many more of those said to be neutral or 'gainers' are unhappy with the
restricted availability for increments under the new system, or have lost
shift and premium payments. There is no government money given to local
authorities to assist in bringing in Single Status. Schemes have to be
effectively self financing either by means of Council Tax rises, service
cuts, or pay cuts to fund pay rises. The scheme arises out of the success
of a number of Employment Tribunal equal pay cases during the 1990's where
substantial compensation and back-dating was awarded. Although the deal was
originally signed in 1997, and is due to be implemented across all local
authorities by 2007, backdating for gainers is usually limited to only one
year.
Those facing wage cuts in Coventry will have their pay frozen for 5 years,
before the absolute cuts apply. This week the Tory Council in Coventry have
started advertising vacancies in some of the affected jobs at the new 'cut'
rates, and also significantly for only 9 month fixed contracts, thus
immediately creating a two-tier workforce.
Coventry is apparently the first city to strike over Single Status. But
there is a clear need for a nationally co-ordinated response as the pay cuts
in Coventry could be repeated elsewhere unless a national fight-back is
developed. Coventry Unison branch are understood to be calling for an urgent
special national conference of local authority unions to begin this.
Messages of support for the strikes would be welcomed. Please send to
Unison and TGWU. Further details of the dispute can be obtained from the
unions directly involved:
Coventry Unison, Room 11, The Koco Building, The Arches, Spon End, Coventry
CV1 3JQ. Telephone: 024 7667 9475, or email: office@coventryunison.co.uk.
Further background at www.coventryunison.co.uk.
TGWU office, Broadgate House, Broadgate, Coventry CV1 1NH. Telephone: 024
7683 3235.
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