This Newsletter is sent to you to set the record straight on Birmingham City Council’s recent action.
Birmingham City Council recently sent a letter to all of its workforce informing you and your co-workers that they
have withdrawn the revised offer to the pay and grading package.
The Council’s letter begins by reminding you of the fact that the offer came out of 2 weeks intense talks in
March between the Council and the joint Trade Unions and contained a number of improvements, which if implemented would mean
Single Status would cost the Council more money to implement.
This is a reasonably accurate reflection of what happened.
The Council’s letter then goes on to make statements which can only be described as lies:-
Lie number 1:-
The Council say the Trade Unions supported the offer.
The truth is that the GMB Trade Union never said or wrote that they supported the offer. The package contained some
improvements but we wanted more for our members. Back in March we believed GMB
members deserved better, we still hold that view now.
Lie number 2:-
The Council say that the Trade Unions were prepared to ballot on acceptance of the offer.
The truth is that the GMB never said or wrote that it intended to ballot its membership. There was a good reason for
us not balloting members; arrangements had already been put into place for several meetings in different venues to be
held for Trade Union members to hear a full explanation of a complex offer and then to accept or reject the offer.
These meetings were arranged with Birmingham City Council as they were facilitating trade union members attending.
When the March offer was emailed to the Birmingham City Council workforce it contained details of the meetings.
Lie number 3:-
The Council say they repeatedly prompted the Trade Unions to hold a ballot and that they have written to the Unions
to tell them that offer has been withdrawn.
The truth is that the Council have sent no such communications to the GMB, the first sight that the GMB had of the
Council’s letter was when members sent in their own copy to us.
Lie number 4:-
The Council say that they have been patient for 5 months but they can not keep the offer on the table indefinitely.
The truth is that when the Trade Union members rejected the offer at the March meetings, one of the major objections
raised was the part of the package which dealt with progression.
After 2 days of industrial action held on 23rd & 24th April and pressure placed on the Council
by the joint Trade Unions, it was agreed that talks would start afresh on the subject of progression. These talks, which have
been taking place every week, cannot go on indefinitely as a dead line for completion has been set for the end of September.
At this point the March offer including the new ‘progression package’ would be put to our members
Lie number 5:-
The Council say that its action of withdrawing the offer is in the best interest of the workforce the Council and the
taxpayer.
The truth is that whilst some well paid ruthless Council Bosses may benefit from this action, Birmingham City Council
withdrawal of the offer does nothing to benefit the rest of the workforce or service users.
The Council state in their letter that they reserve the right to unilaterally implement part, or all, of the offer,
and this is the heart of the issue. It is not rocket science, it’s very clear that Birmingham City Council don’t
want to negotiate with Trade Unions they want to enforce the changes in your contracts upon you.
The GMB, its Officers and Lay Officials will continue to confront the town hall bullies and we will do one thing at
all times and that is tell you the truth, which is more than can be said for your Employers.
