BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL – JOINT TRADE UNIONS – STRIKE ACTION IN BIRMINGHAM

Trade Union members in Birmingham City Council have today voted by a majority of 3:1 to take strike action over the Council’s decision to impose grossly unfair new contracts on the workforce.

Members of UNISON, GMB, UNITE and UCATT have all been balloted on strike action in protest at Birmingham City Council’s decision to impose contractual changes on the workforce.

More than 20,000 workers will take part in the action over the new contracts, which would lead to some staff losing as much as £18,000 per annum.

UNISON Regional Secretary, Valerie Broom, said:-

“The result of today’s ballot shows just how angry and frustrated UNISON members in Birmingham are.  Taking strike action is always the last resort, but the decision to impose grossly unfair new contracts has come as a hammer blow to staff and their families. 

It is about time Birmingham City Council woke up to the fact that the Equal Pay Act is not a piece of take it or leave it legislation.  Our members deserve better treatment and the people of Birmingham deserve quality services.”

Joe Morgan, Regional Secretary of GMB, stated:

“The Council’s actions are outrageous.  Under the banner of equality they are seeking to cut the wage bill.

It is not too late for the Council to withdraw these proposals, get back round the table and deliver a fair wage system that truly delivers equal pay”.

UNITE’s Regional Secretary, Gerard Coyne, went on to say:

“Ordinary people are losing a significant amount of money and the Council are not delivering the equality that they are claiming.  Ordinary employees have voted to oppose this unfair imposition.”

The first day of strike action within Birmingham City Council is scheduled to be
Tuesday, 5 February 2008, and is likely to affect ALL Council departments.

UCATT’s Regional Secretary, Steve Murphy, said:

“UCATT members are being forced to reluctantly take industrial action due to the arrogant manner in which they are being treated by their bosses.  Birmingham City Council leaders have now got to see sense and drop these crazy plans.” 

For further information please contact:

UNISON         0121 685 4200

GMB              0121 550 4888

UNITE           0121 569 8900

UCATT          01322 203656