Strike Action Reopens Pay Talks

Monday, 28 July 2008

The magnificent support of Unison members accross Rotherham and the solidarity from other trade unionists and non-union members had a massive impact.

In our borough more than seventy schools were shut and bin collections halted completely.

In a pattern repeated up and down the country, office after office shut, and the main council worksites had lively pickets.

Despite the rain we had a successful rally in All Saints Square, with music from Rotherham Ethnic Drummers and speakers pledging their support from the PCS, the civil servants union, Rotherham National Union of Teachers among others.

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The response from the employers organisation has been to offer new pay talks without preconditions. A joint statement from the LGA, Unison and Unite follows this article.

Please check the website regularly to keep up to date with the pay campaign.

To: Chief Executives in England, Wales & N Ireland

(with copies for Personnel Director & Finance Director) Members of the National Joint Council Provincial/Associated Joint Secretaries Local Authority Associations’ Secretaries

24 July 2008

Dear Colleague,

LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES PAY NEGOTIATIONS The following statement has been issued today on behalf of the National Employers and UNISON and Unite: “Local government unions UNISON and Unite, and the National Employers, in the context of the current dispute on the 2008 pay settlement, agree that a new era of employment is needed to reflect properly the contribution of the workforce in purview of the NJC to service improvements and the future needs of local people. Therefore, to secure this new settlement, the partners are committed to immediate serious and meaningful negotiations over a range of issues, including those in the trade union claim this year and a full review of the national conditions of service. These discussions will be on the basis of nothing ruled in or out and will aim to conclude with early proposals that recognise the aspirations of the workforce in the context of the financial position of local government. Both the National Employers and UNISON and Unite will enter into these negotiations constructively with the aim of securing an employment package which is fit for the future with positive industrial relations, high quality and efficient local services and resolves the current dispute” The agreed talks are scheduled to begin on Wednesday 13 August.

Yours sincerely,


Sarah Messenger	Heather Wakefield	Pete Allenson
Employers’ Secretary	UNISON	Unite