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Birmingham council staff vote to strike over allowances | Birmingham council staff vote to strike over allowances |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Workers at Birmingham City Council have voted to take strike action over plans to scrap allowances for working anti-social hours. | Workers at Birmingham City Council have voted to take strike action over plans to scrap allowances for working anti-social hours. |
Members voted three-to-one to strike, from a turnout of 30% of the 10,000 members able to take part, the Unison public sector union said. | Members voted three-to-one to strike, from a turnout of 30% of the 10,000 members able to take part, the Unison public sector union said. |
Some staff would have pay cuts of up to £6,000, the union said. | Some staff would have pay cuts of up to £6,000, the union said. |
The council said it would ensure "as far as is possible that essential frontline services operate as usual". | The council said it would ensure "as far as is possible that essential frontline services operate as usual". |
'Make ends meet' | 'Make ends meet' |
The union said members were balloted about the council's "plans to unilaterally change terms and conditions". | The union said members were balloted about the council's "plans to unilaterally change terms and conditions". |
It said 4,000 workers would be affected and proposals would have "a disproportionately severe impact on the lowest-paid who rely upon shift allowances, weekend working rates and other associated payments to make ends meet". | It said 4,000 workers would be affected and proposals would have "a disproportionately severe impact on the lowest-paid who rely upon shift allowances, weekend working rates and other associated payments to make ends meet". |
Unison West Midlands' head of local government, Tony Rabaiotti, said: "The proposed contract rides roughshod over established terms and conditions. | Unison West Midlands' head of local government, Tony Rabaiotti, said: "The proposed contract rides roughshod over established terms and conditions. |
"Why is it right that some low paid home care workers presently earning just £14,000 a year should lose over £3,000? | "Why is it right that some low paid home care workers presently earning just £14,000 a year should lose over £3,000? |
'Last resort' | 'Last resort' |
"This council leadership does not live in the real world, does not understand the reality of life on low pay and has lost the confidence of the workforce." | "This council leadership does not live in the real world, does not understand the reality of life on low pay and has lost the confidence of the workforce." |
Mr Rabaiotti said industrial action was "always the last resort" and it was not a low turnout. | Mr Rabaiotti said industrial action was "always the last resort" and it was not a low turnout. |
He said: "It's exactly what we expected. It's normal for a postal ballot. | He said: "It's exactly what we expected. It's normal for a postal ballot. |
"We want the council to understand the anger and disappointment of the workforce (and) return to the negotiating table." | "We want the council to understand the anger and disappointment of the workforce (and) return to the negotiating table." |
The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition running the city said the contracts were fair and necessary if it was to make savings of more than £300m over the next four years. | |
Councillor Alan Rudge, cabinet member for equalities and human resources at the council, said industrial action was "always regrettable". | Councillor Alan Rudge, cabinet member for equalities and human resources at the council, said industrial action was "always regrettable". |
He said: "Contingencies will be put in place to ensure as far as is possible that essential frontline services operate as usual when the need arises. | He said: "Contingencies will be put in place to ensure as far as is possible that essential frontline services operate as usual when the need arises. |
"We are trying to balance the interests of our workforce and the balance of the people who use the city and the people who are paying their council tax." |
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