Are You Listening, Glasgow?
Here's the Evening Times take on the big news about the resounding level of support for strike action amongst GMB and Unison members, if the City Council doesn't come to its senses in equal pay settlement negotiations which have been dragging on for the past six months.
And what a dumb comment from a Council spokesperson about the 'current timetable'!
Because if these settlement talks were making any kind of reasonable progress, the trade unions would not have had to ballot their members over industrial action - and the Claimants Side (A4ES, GMB and Unison) would not be having to consider taking all the outstanding equal pay claims back to the Employment Tribunals.
Perhaps the slow progress is down to the fact that the slow progress towards settlement is down to the fact that the senior officials representing the Council Side up until now, are the same senior officials who defended the WPBR 'tooth and nail' for so many years?
So the Council has plenty to think about and if you ask me, the politicians ought to be questioning the quality of advice from their senior officials.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16258851.Cordia_strike__almost_certain__as_union_members_ballot_overwhelmingly_in_favour/
Cordia strike "almost certain" as union members ballot overwhelmingly in favour
By Catriona Stewart @LadyCatHT - Evening Times
GMB members protest outside Glasgow City Chambers
A STRIKE across Cordia services is "almost certain" as union members voted overwhelmingly in favour.
GMB Scotland members in the Glasgow City Council arm's-length organisation have voted in favour of moving to industrial action over the ongoing failure to resolve second wave equal pay claims.
Following the close of a three week consultative ballot today, 98 per cent of members said they were prepared to take part in strike action as the campaign for fair and full equal pay settlements intensifies.
GMB Scotland Organiser Rhea Wolfson said: "The challenge for the council is straightforward: Give back to our members the money that was stolen from them, recognise the value of their work and ensure Glasgow’s women will never be treated as second class citizens ever again.
"If the council fails to do this then strike action across Cordia services is almost certain.”
The consultative ballot was held after union bosses claimed council officials had delayed negotiations with the joint trade unions and claimant groups.
These groups represent more than 10,000 equal pay claims from women employed by the council, past and present.
Strike action by GMB’s 3000 members in Cordia would affect home care services, school cleaning and janitorial provision and catering contracts across Glasgow City Council.
Ms Wolfson added: “This result is hugely significant and shows the strength of feeling amongst our members in Cordia and their desire for pay justice.
"Make no mistake, the blame here lies squarely with the council’s officials and their failure to progress the delivery of a full and fair settlement with the claimant representative groups.
"Our members care for our most vulnerable, keep our kids’ schools clean and their bellies full.
"They are being exploited by this council, their patience has been exhausted and they have had enough.
Union Unison conducted seven consultative ballots covering 10,417 members.
All groups also voted for strike action.
A spokesman for Unison said: "Unison Glasgow Branch elected representatives will now consider our next steps.
"As previously reported the meetings with Glasgow City Council were more positive last week, and we have asked for some important commitments and details in writing.
"We have been promised a formal council response in the next few days.
"If an acceptable response is not received then clearly the branch will have to consider requesting formal strike ballots from Unison Scotland."
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “All parties, including the GMB, agreed the current timetable for negotiations.”
GMB members protest outside Glasgow City Chambers
A STRIKE across Cordia services is "almost certain" as union members voted overwhelmingly in favour.
GMB Scotland members in the Glasgow City Council arm's-length organisation have voted in favour of moving to industrial action over the ongoing failure to resolve second wave equal pay claims.
Following the close of a three week consultative ballot today, 98 per cent of members said they were prepared to take part in strike action as the campaign for fair and full equal pay settlements intensifies.
GMB Scotland Organiser Rhea Wolfson said: "The challenge for the council is straightforward: Give back to our members the money that was stolen from them, recognise the value of their work and ensure Glasgow’s women will never be treated as second class citizens ever again.
"If the council fails to do this then strike action across Cordia services is almost certain.”
The consultative ballot was held after union bosses claimed council officials had delayed negotiations with the joint trade unions and claimant groups.
These groups represent more than 10,000 equal pay claims from women employed by the council, past and present.
Strike action by GMB’s 3000 members in Cordia would affect home care services, school cleaning and janitorial provision and catering contracts across Glasgow City Council.
Ms Wolfson added: “This result is hugely significant and shows the strength of feeling amongst our members in Cordia and their desire for pay justice.
"Make no mistake, the blame here lies squarely with the council’s officials and their failure to progress the delivery of a full and fair settlement with the claimant representative groups.
"Our members care for our most vulnerable, keep our kids’ schools clean and their bellies full.
"They are being exploited by this council, their patience has been exhausted and they have had enough.
Union Unison conducted seven consultative ballots covering 10,417 members.
All groups also voted for strike action.
A spokesman for Unison said: "Unison Glasgow Branch elected representatives will now consider our next steps.
"As previously reported the meetings with Glasgow City Council were more positive last week, and we have asked for some important commitments and details in writing.
"We have been promised a formal council response in the next few days.
"If an acceptable response is not received then clearly the branch will have to consider requesting formal strike ballots from Unison Scotland."
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “All parties, including the GMB, agreed the current timetable for negotiations.”
