Strike threatens to disrupt council operations

Aug 13 2008 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

NORTH Lanarkshire Council have admitted that operations will be affected during next Wednesday’s staff strike, but have pledged to continue providing essential services.

Thousands of members of trade unions Unison, Unite and the GMB are scheduled to take industrial action on August 20 after rejecting a 2.5 per cent pay deal.

Council chief executive Gavin Whitefield said: “We are currently assessing the likely impact of the strike in order to minimise disruption, and will prioritise the continuation of essential services.

“A number of council services will be affected, but we aim to ensure that our most vulnerable residents receive their normal level of care and all essential services operate as usual.”

Details of services affected by the strike will be available on the council’s website, www.northlan.gov.uk.

Meanwhile, the striking workers, who may be joined in their action by civil servants from the PCS, have received backing from the Scottish Socialist Party.

The party’s central regional secretary, Kevin McVey, said: “The big support shown for this action in union ballots shows that these workers are not willing to see employers impose a pay deal that, in the current climate, would effectively be a pay cut.

“These are the workers who deliver our key services on a daily basis and should be rewarded properly.

“I am sure they are not taking this action lightly and it is important that members of the public who rely on these services fully support the workers in their campaign to achieve a fair settlement – our party members will be offering our full support.”