North Ayrshire Council - Sauce for the Goose
North Ayrshire Council is the latest employer that is trying to impose a new pay and grading structure on its workforce - but without the agreement of its employees or the trade unions (see earlier posts dated 24 January and 14 June).
Just a few days ago, West Lothian Council went down the same route - but the council's behaviour was quickly raised on the floor of the House of Commons.
Local Labour MP, Jim Devine, a former Unison official, condemned the SNP led council and invited the Chancellor (Gordon Brown) to join in the criticism.
Gordon Brown duly did so - willingly and without hesitation. No doubt his decision was made that much easier because West Lothian is now led by the SNP - which wrestled control of the council from Labour at the May elections.
But the fact is that North Ayrshire is behaving in exactly the same way as West Lothian - and what's sauce for the goose should, of course, be sauce for the gander.
So, let's see if the local politicians (MPs, MSPs or councillors) will invite Gordon Brown to step in and make his views known to the Labour leaders of North Ayrshire Council.
If you work for North Ayrshire, this is an ideal opportunity to get your point across to the politicians - key contact details as follows:
Gordon Brown - the new Prime Minister and a vocal critic of West Lothian Council mailto:Councilbrowng@parliament.uk
Kenneth Gibson - a newly elected SNP MSP
Kenneth.Gibson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Irene Oldfather - experienced Labour MSP, well known to North Ayrshire council
Irene.Oldfather.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Katy Clark - Labour MP whose interests include equality issues, according to her biography!
clarkk@parliament.uk
Brian Donohoe - a former Unison official, just like Jim Devine in West Lothian
donohoeb@parliament.uk
David O'Neill - Labour leader of North Ayrshire Council
doneill@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Just a few days ago, West Lothian Council went down the same route - but the council's behaviour was quickly raised on the floor of the House of Commons.
Local Labour MP, Jim Devine, a former Unison official, condemned the SNP led council and invited the Chancellor (Gordon Brown) to join in the criticism.
Gordon Brown duly did so - willingly and without hesitation. No doubt his decision was made that much easier because West Lothian is now led by the SNP - which wrestled control of the council from Labour at the May elections.
But the fact is that North Ayrshire is behaving in exactly the same way as West Lothian - and what's sauce for the goose should, of course, be sauce for the gander.
So, let's see if the local politicians (MPs, MSPs or councillors) will invite Gordon Brown to step in and make his views known to the Labour leaders of North Ayrshire Council.
If you work for North Ayrshire, this is an ideal opportunity to get your point across to the politicians - key contact details as follows:
Gordon Brown - the new Prime Minister and a vocal critic of West Lothian Council mailto:Councilbrowng@parliament.uk
Kenneth Gibson - a newly elected SNP MSP
Kenneth.Gibson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Irene Oldfather - experienced Labour MSP, well known to North Ayrshire council
Irene.Oldfather.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Katy Clark - Labour MP whose interests include equality issues, according to her biography!
clarkk@parliament.uk
Brian Donohoe - a former Unison official, just like Jim Devine in West Lothian
donohoeb@parliament.uk
David O'Neill - Labour leader of North Ayrshire Council
doneill@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
If you want to visit or speak with your local councillor, their names, addresses and contact details are listed on the council web site: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk
