Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter | News | Unions: Strike sent out 'clear message'

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 26th August, 2008 10:30

Unions: Strike sent out 'clear message'

By Mike Farrell

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But council says there was minimum disruption

Image related to story, see caption or article text

Workers took to the picket lines at Broadmeadow Industrial Estate

Pic by: Stewart Robertson

IT sent out a clear and powerful message — that is what union chiefs feel is the effect of a mass walkout that crippled services across Dumbarton and the Vale.

Schools were closed three days into the new term as other services, including burials and street sweeping, stopped for 24 hours.

The majority of the 4,000-strong council workforce downed tools on Wednesday and took to the picket line.

And despite foul weather, many persevered to demonstrate outside their places of work.

Union reps have hailed the action — which was over a national pay dispute — as a success, and are now consulting West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) staff over what to do next.

A WDC spokesman said that there was minimum disruption to services.

Council workers nationwide went on strike over a 2.5 per cent pay rise offer made by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).

UNISON, along with unions GMB and UNITE (T&G), rejected the offer, claiming it is not in sync with the current financial climate.

Pickets hit various locations across the Burgh and the Vale, including Dalreoch Nursing Home, WDC Cleansing in Broadmeadow Industrial Estate, and the WDC headquarters in Garshake Road, Dumbarton.

The wage rise offered was for a three-year period, which unions also felt left their workers with an uncertain future.

A WDC spokesman added: “Strike action in West Dunbartonshire passed without incident and the council would like to thank local trade unions for their co-operation around the provision of emergency services."

He added that services including home care, sheltered housing supervisors who provide emergency response to vulnerable people and Social Work response for child protection, adult protection and mental health emergencies, and residential units all continued to work.

Councillor Michael Cook, COSLA spokesperman for the Scottish Employers added: “It is in no-ones interest for there to be further disruption, least of all the people in our communities who most rely on the services provided by councils and their employees.”

For a three-page special report see this week's Reporter, in shops now.

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