More strikes threatened in Wiltshire but not by waste workers
The GMB Union are calling out Wiltshire Council
Industrial action is being threatened by the GMB Union if plans to cut pay for some key workers in Wiltshire aren't ditched.
They are warning Wiltshire Council that staff in highways and leisure centres, care workers, social workers and traffic wardens face a pay cut of between 10 and 20%.
In total, 97% of GMB members voted to reject the cuts – they say the ballot also showed they would support industrial action if required.
The union say they have written to councillors, asking them to intervene.
They claim they have proposed face to face talks through ACAS to seek a resolution and avoid escalation, but the council has refused.
Keith Roberts, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
"GMB has proposed talks to resolve differences with the council, but they have point blank refused to talk to us.
“A confrontation is not in the interests of the council, staff, or residents - but if that is the path they want to push us down, we will reluctantly have to take it.
“GMB members are incensed. For social workers the council’s proposal would have led to a 20 per cent reduction in pay, a loss of £7.000 per year. Traffic wardens and specialist care staff face a 10 per cent cut. The council has paused these cuts but not taken them off the table.
“The uncertainty caused by this has caused a crisis of confidence in staff and many staff have already left or are looking for other jobs.
"Our members are furious that the chief executive sent out an email to all staff saying there was no cut in salaries, and that GMB has been blocked from meeting staff to explain the true facts.
"GMB is now talking to our members about what our next steps are – up to and including strike action.”
COUNCIL DISAPPOINTED AND CONFUSED
In response to this, Wiltshire say the union union had already agreed to be part of a working group to discuss the issues constructively.
This has left the local authority confused and disappointed.
They say they have been consulting with the three recognised trade unions, UNISON, Unite the Union and GMB, in an attempt to reach an agreement on changes to some terms and conditions.
This has included a proposed increment freeze, plus some changes to the overtime, standby, callout and unsocial hours allowances.
Wiltshire Council say the proposed changes are fair and can be applied consistently.
Following feedback from staff and trade union consultation with their members, the council agreed to separate the proposed increment freeze and changes to the overtime allowances from the proposed changes to standby, callout and unsocial hours allowances
Andy Brown, Wiltshire Council’s Deputy Chief Executive, said:
“We have listened carefully to the feedback we received from staff on the proposals put forward. The aim of the working group, which all of the trade unions have agreed to be part of, is to work in a constructive and productive way to identify ways to mitigate the impact of the proposed changes to the standby, callout and unsocial hours allowances.
“Therefore we are a little surprised and disappointed by the tone and timing of GMB’s comments given their commitment to working with us to reach a satisfactory outcome for their members and all staff who are impacted by what is being proposed.
“We don’t think this public back and forth is terribly helpful and we thank our staff for their professionalism as this process continues.”
The bins strike is still ongoing in the county, after Hills Waste Collection Services workers walked out because of a row over pay.
GMB Union members voted for industrial action after they couldn't come to an agreement with Hills.