Showing posts with label Strike 20 Aug 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Strike 20 Aug 2008. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
UNISON gets Labourstart photo of the week
UNISON Organiser and sometime picture snapper Peter Hunter tells us:
"One of our August strike photos will the LabourtStart photo of the week next week. http://www.labourstart.org/ Gets posted on Sunday apparently. Good way to remind activists of the power of their blog contributions ahead of Wednesday. 15 mins of global fame for Deborah! Thanks to Fiona for setting it up."
As if our activists need reminding of their power!
Here's the pic:
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The Herald: Unions claim a win in return to negotiating table
The Herald Sat 23 Aug
"Local authority unions yesterday agreed to return to the negotiating table in the wake of this week's strike by up to 200,000 council employees which crippled public services across Scotland."
More...
See also UNISON press statement Successful strike action brings reopening of talks
"Local authority unions yesterday agreed to return to the negotiating table in the wake of this week's strike by up to 200,000 council employees which crippled public services across Scotland."
More...
See also UNISON press statement Successful strike action brings reopening of talks
Friday, August 22, 2008
Successful strike action brings reopening of talks
UNISON Scotland Press Statement
Embargo: For immediate Release
Date: Fri 22 August 2008
Successful strike action brings reopening of talks
The 24 hour stoppage that closed and disrupted council services across Scotland on Wednesday has won a reopening of talks with the employers, the main council union – UNISON said today.
A meeting of UNISON’s Scottish local government branches today welcomed the news that council employers had suggested further talks, and congratulated the members who struck last Wednesday.
Dougie Black, UNISON regional Officer and Secretary to the TU negotiators said
“We are pleased that CoSLA has approached us to reopen talks on this years pay award, following the successful strike by members of the three unions on Wednesday. We also note that the invitation to talks addresses some of the contentious issues. Obviously we want a solution to this dispute, so we hope that discussions around a new offer more acceptable to our members can start quickly.”
The meeting of branches welcomed the news but also agreed to maintain the dispute and make preparations for further strike action in the event of any failure of talks.
Dougie Black said
“Members made it very clear on Wednesday that they want a settlement that protects them from inflation and does not lock them in to multi-year awards. The talks are welcome but are not in themselves a solution. We will be talking to our fellow unions to agree future action should it be required, and will announce this later.”
Cathy Jamieson and Bill Butler standing firm with UNISON Scotland
MSPs Cathy Jamieson and Bill Butler, UNISON Scotland's nominees for Scottish Labour Leader and Deputy, both confirmed their support for the Fair Pay campaign by making solidarity visits to local picket lines. Cathy spoke at Motherwell and then at the rally at George Square in Glasgow. She is pictured here with Dave Prentis and Mike Kirby.She said: "I have always campaigned against low pay and the current offer will leave many low paid workers substantially worse off. Rising fuel and food prices are hitting workers hard. I wanted to express my support for Unison members and those of the other trade unions taking action."
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Big Ian's North Ayrshire strike pics
Looks like this strike picture thing is catching on across UNISON... Here's Big Ian's North Ayrshire strike picture gallery...
http://picasaweb.google.com/bigianwallace/UnisonStrike200808
UPDATE: North Ayrshire UNISON have a strike picture gallery on the branch site...
http://www.unison-northayrshire.org.uk/image/tid/2
Check them out. Here's a couple of Ian's snaps...
Joint union action on the picket line outside North Ayrshire HQ...
Look out, here comes the boss...
We like Ian's own caption:
Yeah we know Mr Mc Farline 2.5%, but some of our members will need to work for 10 years to reach your salary of £100000
Some of these pics are already on our Picasa gallery
http://picasaweb.google.com/unisonscotland
Anyone else got any?
http://picasaweb.google.com/bigianwallace/UnisonStrike200808
UPDATE: North Ayrshire UNISON have a strike picture gallery on the branch site...
http://www.unison-northayrshire.org.uk/image/tid/2
Check them out. Here's a couple of Ian's snaps...
Joint union action on the picket line outside North Ayrshire HQ...
Look out, here comes the boss...
We like Ian's own caption:
Yeah we know Mr Mc Farline 2.5%, but some of our members will need to work for 10 years to reach your salary of £100000
Some of these pics are already on our Picasa gallery
http://picasaweb.google.com/unisonscotland
Anyone else got any?
The Herald: Unions in threat to step up council dispute
The Herald Thu 21 August 2008
"Union chiefs are warning of an escalation in their dispute with Scotland's councils "within weeks" as a strike by tens of thousands of workers brought disruption to key services across the country.
Up to 200,000 local authority employees across Scotland were estimated to have taken part in the 24-hour walkout which yesterday left schools closed, bins left unemptied, ferries cancelled, day care and sports centres shut and libraries closed.
The leaders of the main unions have said the action provides the councils with a "window of opportunity" to restart negotiations but said that strategies were in place which could see an autumn of discontent with further days of action within the next month."
more...
"Union chiefs are warning of an escalation in their dispute with Scotland's councils "within weeks" as a strike by tens of thousands of workers brought disruption to key services across the country.Up to 200,000 local authority employees across Scotland were estimated to have taken part in the 24-hour walkout which yesterday left schools closed, bins left unemptied, ferries cancelled, day care and sports centres shut and libraries closed.
The leaders of the main unions have said the action provides the councils with a "window of opportunity" to restart negotiations but said that strategies were in place which could see an autumn of discontent with further days of action within the next month."
more...
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
BBC News: Views from the picket line
BBC NEWS | Scotland: Council Strike - Views from the picket lineCouncil workers across Scotland taking part in a 24-hour walkout over pay explain why they are taking action.
Link to BBC video
BBC News: Union v CoSLA
BBC NEWS | Scotland: Council Strike - Union v CoSLA videoUnison's David Prentis and Michael Cook from local government umbrella organisation Cosla give their views on the strike action. "
Link to BBC video
BBC News: Council strike sparks disruption
BBC News | Scotland:
Page last updated at 14:08 GMT, Wednesday, 20 August 2008 15:08 UK
"Local services including schools, bin collections and ferry crossings have been disrupted as thousands of council workers staged a 24 walk-out over pay.
Up to 150,000 members of the GMB, Unite and Unison unions joined the dispute across the country after rejecting a 2.5% pay deal over three years.
The local government umbrella group Cosla said it was willing to meet with unions to discuss the dispute."
More...
Also: Read Brian Taylor's blog on Labour MSPs support for the pay claim...
Page last updated at 14:08 GMT, Wednesday, 20 August 2008 15:08 UK
"Local services including schools, bin collections and ferry crossings have been disrupted as thousands of council workers staged a 24 walk-out over pay.
Up to 150,000 members of the GMB, Unite and Unison unions joined the dispute across the country after rejecting a 2.5% pay deal over three years.
The local government umbrella group Cosla said it was willing to meet with unions to discuss the dispute."
More...
Also: Read Brian Taylor's blog on Labour MSPs support for the pay claim...
3.30pm update: 150,000 out as Scottish Councils hit by strike action
Local council services across Scotland have been hit by closure and disruption as hundreds of thousands of union members struck today. The largest council union UNISON, and colleagues from GMB and Unite unions all voted by large majorities to strike as part of their campaign against the below-inflation pay offer made by Scotland’s councils.
The 24 hour stoppage affected all council services – schools across Scotland were shut, and many of those that stayed open had limited services – no school meals for example. Rubbish collection, street cleaning, and environmental protection were halted in many councils, and social work offices and day centres shut. Housing, leisure and recreation services, home and residential care, libraries, etc. etc were disrupted as around 150,000 staff took strike action across Scotland.
In Aberdeen the main call centre at Woodhill House was closed – covering large number of services for Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray councils. In East Ayrshire all schools were closed; office staffing was drastically reduced and main depots are closed. And these stories are repeated across Scotland.
Glasgow rally shows strength of feeling
UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis, addressing a rally in Glasgow’s George Square today said: "It is time that Scotland’s employers took note of the strength of feeling amongst their staff and reopened their ‘final offer’ for negotiation. The level of solidarity that I have seen going round the picket lines indicates that our members and their colleagues from the other unions are determined to win a better deal. Council staff in Scotland have delivered nearly £200 m worth of efficiency savings that councils should share with staff as well as with council tax payers."
Matt Smith – UNISON’s Scottish Secretary said: "According to recent media statements it seems that Steven Purcell (Leader of Glasgow City Council) and Michael Cook (Employers’ Side Chair) have been impressed by the backing for the strike and the arguments about the levels of inflation. But they need to come back to the unions with clear proposals to address the impact of rising prices on our members. If there is no movement then we will have to look to further action in the near future."
The 24 hour stoppage affected all council services – schools across Scotland were shut, and many of those that stayed open had limited services – no school meals for example. Rubbish collection, street cleaning, and environmental protection were halted in many councils, and social work offices and day centres shut. Housing, leisure and recreation services, home and residential care, libraries, etc. etc were disrupted as around 150,000 staff took strike action across Scotland.
In Aberdeen the main call centre at Woodhill House was closed – covering large number of services for Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray councils. In East Ayrshire all schools were closed; office staffing was drastically reduced and main depots are closed. And these stories are repeated across Scotland.
Glasgow rally shows strength of feeling
UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis, addressing a rally in Glasgow’s George Square today said: "It is time that Scotland’s employers took note of the strength of feeling amongst their staff and reopened their ‘final offer’ for negotiation. The level of solidarity that I have seen going round the picket lines indicates that our members and their colleagues from the other unions are determined to win a better deal. Council staff in Scotland have delivered nearly £200 m worth of efficiency savings that councils should share with staff as well as with council tax payers."
Matt Smith – UNISON’s Scottish Secretary said: "According to recent media statements it seems that Steven Purcell (Leader of Glasgow City Council) and Michael Cook (Employers’ Side Chair) have been impressed by the backing for the strike and the arguments about the levels of inflation. But they need to come back to the unions with clear proposals to address the impact of rising prices on our members. If there is no movement then we will have to look to further action in the near future."
Action will go on for fair pay General Secretary tells Edinburgh stewards
UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis told Edinburgh Council UNISON members today that the industrial action which crippled council services today will continue until staff get fair pay.
The action will continue "until the employers who haven’t talked to us for three months, come back round the negotiating table and talk about the real issues affecting their workers – the issue of not being able to pay the bills", said Mr Prentis.
"I believe the public understand the frustration at an offer that would lock council workers into a 2.5% pay offer for three years, when inflation is way ahead of that and rising. Yet the employers have failed to invite us back to talk to them since before the strike ballot was called," he added.
Edinburgh UNISON has welcomed the ‘resounding’ response from its members to the strike.
"The resounding response to the strike shows just how angry our members are at taking what is a pay cut when the cost of living is soaring. Members always respond well in Edinburgh but this time the support for the action has surpassed even our expectations", said John Stevenson, Branch President.
"The public response on the picket lines has been fantastic. They clearly understand the fairness of our case. Our low paid members cannot go on subsidising services".
UNISON will now make representations to the full council on Thursday 21 August calling on it to urge CoSLA to reopen talks. We will also be calling on the First Minister Alex Salmond to take his responsibility and ensure the money is made available for a fair settlement.
The action will continue "until the employers who haven’t talked to us for three months, come back round the negotiating table and talk about the real issues affecting their workers – the issue of not being able to pay the bills", said Mr Prentis.
"I believe the public understand the frustration at an offer that would lock council workers into a 2.5% pay offer for three years, when inflation is way ahead of that and rising. Yet the employers have failed to invite us back to talk to them since before the strike ballot was called," he added.
Edinburgh UNISON has welcomed the ‘resounding’ response from its members to the strike.
"The resounding response to the strike shows just how angry our members are at taking what is a pay cut when the cost of living is soaring. Members always respond well in Edinburgh but this time the support for the action has surpassed even our expectations", said John Stevenson, Branch President.
"The public response on the picket lines has been fantastic. They clearly understand the fairness of our case. Our low paid members cannot go on subsidising services".
UNISON will now make representations to the full council on Thursday 21 August calling on it to urge CoSLA to reopen talks. We will also be calling on the First Minister Alex Salmond to take his responsibility and ensure the money is made available for a fair settlement.
Photos from strike action around Scotland
Striking workers from UNISON, GMB and UNITE hold a rally at Inverness Castle
(See earlier BBC story on this blog.)
Picket Line at East Ayrshire Recycling Centre & Civic Amenity Site
Picket at Motherwell Civic Centre
Stirling Picket Line
South Ayrshire Council workers on a picket line in Ayr
Stephanie Herd, Chair of UNISON's Local Government Service group, addresses the rally in Glasgow
More pictures from around Scotland are being added throughout the day.See web picture galleries at
UNISON Scotland Website Strike Picture Gallery
Picasa Picture Albums
Pics copyright UNISON Scotland unless otherwise credited. For media enquiries about photographs, please contact Communications Officer Chris Bartter on 0771 558 3729
Aberdeen: UNISON ad trailer "huge success"
From: Craib, SandraSent: 20 August 2008 11:05
To: Bartter, Chris
Subject: Aberdeen
Hi Chris
Just thought I’d let you know that the trailer was a huge success – it’s now on its way to the rally at Inverurie. The Press & Journal & also the BBC were at Woodhill House – so got some good coverage. There were also photos taken by a news agency outside Aberdeen Sheriff Court – so no doubt some of them will appear in the press. Lynne has the camera & will be forwarding on photos when she gets back from the rally.
The Regional Communication Centre at Woodhill House was completely closed – this call centre covers : Community Alarms, Out of Hours Street Lighting, Emergency Planning, Environmental Health, Homelessness, Fire & Intruder Alarms, Fire Alarms, non-housing repairs and many other emergency functions for the following councils:
Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray & Highland.
By the way the driver of the trailer Martin deserves a medal for reversing all 40ft of van and trailer up a very narrow street.
Sandra Craib
Assistant Admin
====
More pictures from around Scotland are being added throughout the day.
See web picture galleries at
Pics copyright UNISON Scotland unless otherwise credited. For media enquiries about photographs, please contact Communications Officer Chris Bartter on 0771 558 3729
BBC News: Staff hold strike rally at castle
BBC News: Scotland
Page last updated at 10:36 GMT, Wednesday, 20 August 2008 11:36 UK
"Striking Highland Council workers have staged a rally at Inverness Castle during a 24-hour walkout over pay.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar staff have also taken industrial action..."
More...
Page last updated at 10:36 GMT, Wednesday, 20 August 2008 11:36 UK
"Striking Highland Council workers have staged a rally at Inverness Castle during a 24-hour walkout over pay.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar staff have also taken industrial action..."
More...
Successful action by Moray Council workers
From Moray UNISON.
Unison members across Moray went out on strike as part of the nationwide campaign for a fair pay offer. With a pay offer now half that of inflation, workers cannot afford to accept another pay cut. Pickets were organised around a number of key council services, including the council headquarters and schools. A number of workers were successfully turned back at picket lines with many more staying away from work. Five schools were completely closed as a result of strike action, with others severely distrupted by catering and other support staff staying at home.
A big thank you to everyone who went out on strike today - especially those able to attend picket lines. Your support for this campaign is greatly appreciated.
For more Moray pictures click here
To see Moray on UNISON Scotland's Google Day of Action map, click here
Unison members across Moray went out on strike as part of the nationwide campaign for a fair pay offer. With a pay offer now half that of inflation, workers cannot afford to accept another pay cut. Pickets were organised around a number of key council services, including the council headquarters and schools. A number of workers were successfully turned back at picket lines with many more staying away from work. Five schools were completely closed as a result of strike action, with others severely distrupted by catering and other support staff staying at home.A big thank you to everyone who went out on strike today - especially those able to attend picket lines. Your support for this campaign is greatly appreciated.
For more Moray pictures click here
To see Moray on UNISON Scotland's Google Day of Action map, click here
'New Recruits' Desperate for Fair Pay on March to Dundee Rally
Some new recruits in Dundee heading for the joint union Rally at City Square - Thanks Desperate Dan (famous local statue of the cartoon character from The Dandy)
and thanks Minnie the Minx (from The Beano)
More pictures from around Scotland are being added throughout the day.See web picture galleries at
UNISON Scotland Website Strike Picture Gallery
Picasa Picture Albums
UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis in Edinburgh
UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis joins a wet picket line in Edinburgh
Dave Prentis waves the Fair Pay flag on a picket line in Edinburgh
Above pictures by Peter Hunter, copyright UNISON Scotland.
(For media enquiries about photographs, please contact Communications Officer Chris Bartter on 0771 558 3729)
More pictures from around Scotland are being added throughout the day.
See web picture galleries at
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